PETERSBURG – The Upper Township Committee passed a final form of its noise ordinance, Dec. 12, which will limit the use of power or landscaping tools in both resort residential and commercial zones.
The ordinance was adopted after a second reading and public hearing, and after several revisions and amendments by the municipal governing body. The changes were made over recent months. The committee included a recommendation from the township planning board to abate noise including use of power tools and landscaping and/or yard maintenance equipment in resort residential and resort commercial zones before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
The committee has still to address the concern for more stringent Sunday hours for Strathmere’s resort-residential zone during the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Municipal Solicitor Dan Reeves said that change, if desired, can come at a later date given Memorial Day is still months away, and state procedural regulations do not allow any time to amend the new ordinance during the remainder of the year.
During public comment, Blanche Adams, representing the Upper Township Business Association, said, “When I first read the ordinance, I was concerned that landscapers would not have a sufficiently long enough window to make a living but in review, our board does not feel there’s a problem. The hours covered seem reasonable and, yes, indeed landscapers can make a living.”
Adams said the landscapers say they’re okay with the permitted hours as stated and these hours are in sync with other communities. She said if Sunday is completely cut out, including in the beach community, the impact remained to be seen. For now, she thanked the committee for balancing the interests of homeowners with those of Upper Township small businesses that need to operate.
Strathmere Improvement Association president Janice Connell said, “We’re happy about this so far. Parking is very tight anyway on Sundays in Strathmere and we hope that the ordinance really does abate the noise issue we’ve been living with.”
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