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14c. <br /> DRAFT JOINT PUBLIC HEARING PAGE 10 <br /> 7:00 a.m. For purposes of comparison, the noise <br /> level on a busy urban street is 90 decibels. while <br /> an accelerating motorcycle is rated at 110 <br /> decibels. The racing of automobile engines on Lot <br /> 11 would fall within the same general rating. <br /> The Sheriff's Department has a decibel meter with <br /> which to determine if performance standards are <br /> met. The obvious problem of enforcement is that <br /> noise levels could be decreased at the time <br /> deputies appear to take measurements. A similar <br /> problem already exists in that automobile noise <br /> levels are increased after deputies have warned <br /> the occupants of the site that they are disturbing <br /> neighbors. <br /> The Planning Department recommends approval of the <br /> rezoning of Lot 10 from EC-5 to R-1. The Planning <br /> Department recommends that Lot 11 be left in an R- <br /> 1 classification. Non-residential uses on that <br /> site would become nonconforming and subject to the <br /> provisions of Article 11.9. Basically, that use <br /> would be allowed to remain and continue to operate <br /> as a non-conforming use as long as it did not <br /> cease to exist for a period of more than six <br /> months. If it were replaced with another use, <br /> that use would have to be one that is permitted in <br /> the R-1 district. Due to the nature of the <br /> complaints and the current use of the property, <br /> staff feels that this would be the best long-range <br /> solution. <br /> Commissioner Carey inquired if there had been <br /> complaints about the EC-5 tracts across the <br /> street. Collins responded no. <br /> Robert Faircloth, owner of the property in ques- <br /> tion. indicated he had talked with the operators <br /> of auto repair shop and had stressed to them that <br /> the noise must cease or he would have to ask them <br /> to vacate the premises. <br /> Bob Snyder. owner of the adjacent property stated <br /> that he had not seen any reduction in activity and <br /> the noise had not decreased. <br /> Yuhasz inquired if there were performance stand- <br /> ards for non-conforming uses as related to noise. <br /> Gledhill, County Attorney. responded that there <br /> are no noise standards for residential develop- <br /> ments in the Zoning Ordinance. Collins stated <br /> there is a Noise Ordinance which could be enforced <br /> in this situation. <br /> Bob Snyder, owner of property across the street <br />