FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – Fargo city leaders are working on proposed changes to noise control and amplified sound, updates that the city and others say are overdue. About 50 people attended a public forum at city hall last night.
In recent years, police have cracked down on late-night street performances because of the noise creating controversy on both sides of the issue.
City Administrator Mike Redlinger said this is a “book of ordinances that have been added to and modified over time but we have really found that we have not kept pace to establish what we want to do in downtown.”
Police Captain Chris Helmick said that the proposed changes were meant to modernize the ordinance and create more parity in enforcement. “The second thing that we’re trying to do is bring some parity between the street performers. The bars, the restaurants, and other sources of sound that come into the downtown area. I know that’s been an issue in the last 4 months and we’re trying to rectify some of that.”
Some who spoke expressed concerns on how the noise will be measured and the impact it could have to Fargo’s short “outside season” nightlife.
The goal is to have an updated, acceptable decibel level downtown along with processes for receiving complaints, enforcement, and compliance.
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