Monday meeting will re-address controversial policies
Gilroy – Controversial policies aimed at taming noise and fire are among the list of items city council will tackle next week after a two month summer break.
The noise ordinance returns to council for review Monday night after several months of fine-tuning by city staff. At the beginning of the summer, council members asked for slight revisions to the time limits and types of noises restricted under the ordinance. The heart of the proposal, however, remains the same. If approved, city officials will have a much easier time fining businesses and residents who persist in making excessive noise.
While the noise ordinance has many residents up in arms, a proposal to require sprinkler systems in all new homes has roiled developers, who say it will increase costs of housing in an already pricey real estate market.
Most council members argue that the roughly $2,000 additional cost per home is a small price to pay for safety. They say the policy could be vital as the city expands and emergency resources stretch thin.
In addition to the noise and sprinkler ordinances, council members next week will:
n Take a final vote on new regulations that would free small developments of 12 units or more from the city’s competitive process for housing permits.
n Take a final vote on a policy that will also free Gilroy Unified School District from the same housing competition, a move intended to help the cash-strapped district convert excess land into funds for new facilities.
n Review a proposal to crack down on owners of downtown buildings that could crumble during earthquakes. The policy requires upgrades or demolition within three years, dated from whenever the policy receives approval.
The Monday meeting takes place 7pm at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.
