Residents may get relief from persistent mechanical noises

Life in the big city can be exciting and … noisy. Now that Austin is certifiably hustling and bustling, the city may soon join other big cities in regulating noise pollution caused by mechanical equipment that disrupts neighboring residents’ quality of life.

An Oct. 9 City Council resolution directs city staff to study the impacts of machinery noise on residents and recommend ways to improve existing sound regulations.

The item cites a July Planning Commission recommendation to City Council to amend the Density Bonus 90 zoning district to reduce the decibel limit of mechanical equipment emanating from buildings.

However, the resolution notes, it’s difficult to regulate noise through zoning because zoning dirt, or property lines, does not comprehensively address noise pollution to achieve best practices and to improve the quality of life for many residents.

To achieve those goals, the resolution directs staff to evaluate what peer cities are doing to regulate noise pollution and to recommend next steps by March 2025. The resolution notes that Texas cities San Antonio and Houston, as well as other cities such as Denver, Seattle and Portland, limit both daytime and nighttime sounds to below 70 decibels.

The World Health Organization, which states that noise pollution is the second-largest environmental cause of health problems, next to air pollution, recommends nighttime noise levels of less than 40 decibels to prevent adverse health effects, according to the resolution.

With Council Member Ryan Alter sponsoring the resolution, co-sponsors included Council members Vanessa Fuentes, José Velásquez, Chito Vela and Zo Qadri.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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