[CGC] From the 3/31 Star-Democrat

[Administrator]

Centreville may look at changing noise laws
By RACHEL SWICK
Staff Writer
March 31, 2008

CENTREVILLE  In the wake of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, neighbors of 
Doc's Riverside Grille returned to Centreville Town Council, with quality of 
life issues due to the noise coming from the local restaurant.
Angela Healy, who lives on Chesterfield Avenue, said the noise over the 
weekend leading up to St. Patrick's Day was "horrible." Healy said she has 
had conversations with town council members, police and the restaurant 
owner, Bo Oristian.
A new patio was recently opened on the restaurant property in time for the 
Irish celebration and featured an outside speaker for music. The speaker was 
turned off by 8:30 p.m., reported Oristian.
"Everyone was in a party mood," said Oristian, who said the noise has not 
been a problem for several months and that the neighbors should have called 
him instead of calling police.
Healy said past discussions had been civil with restaurant owners, but she 
said lately she feels her complaints have not been acted on.
"All I'm asking for is peace in my home," said Healy. "When the restaurant 
opened there was no patio. The noise was horrible. I don't know what else to 
do."
Oristian said the town gave him permission to open the patio and he is 
complying with all the rules applying to the restaurant. He said he turned 
the outside speaker off to quiet things down for his neighbors, but since 
the no-smoking law was put into place last month, many people were moving in 
and out of the restaurant, allowing the sound from inside to get out.
"I have no control over people going outside," he said. "I'm making efforts, 
but I don't know what else we're going to do."
Bob Thompson, another neighbor to the restaurant, said he couldn't even sit 
on his porch and have a conversation over the weekend because of the noise.
Council member Frank Ogens happened to be sitting on the Thompson's porch 
that weekend and agreed that it was very loud.
"It's not an issue with (the) restaurant, but around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, I 
stepped out on the porch and I couldn't believe it," said Thompson.
"I've put a lot of money into that restaurant and saying I should close my 
restaurant at 11:30 (p.m.) . I would lose money," said Oristian. "It's very 
disappointing with all the efforts you make, for it not to be enough."
Council President Norman Pinder said the restaurant is a permitted use 
within the town's codes.
"We don't have the power to close it down because it's a permitted use," 
said Pinder, who suggested the neighbors, restaurant owners, police and town 
officials get together to revise the noise ordinance so it is not so vague. 
He said if the noise ordinance included specifics such as noise decibel 
readings, then the neighbors, the restaurant and the police would know what 
to expect.
"Our noise ordinance is ambiguous," said Ogens. "We need to establish exact 
limits. It's not just here. There are other areas of town, too."
The ordinance will be discussed at the 4 p.m., Thursday, April 10 meeting of 
the town council at the Goodwill Fire Hall. All interested parties are asked 
to attend.