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Noise Ordinance Causes Controversy
02/02/10 - 06:56 PM
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South Walton residents say it’s too loud and businesses say—too bad!

A group of small businesses in Walton County are fighting for the ability to literally do business. And it’s all because of a change in Walton County’s noise ordinance. Business owners say they just want the freedom to obey the law and do business.

Employees of Townsend Catering in Santa Rosa Beach are hard at work crafting creations that are almost too lovely to eat. But those at Townsend are worried about the future of their business, and it’s all just about a little noise.  Donna Townsend owns the catering business.  She believes “This is a huge destination wedding area where guests come down all times…all different times of the year. So I think to limit that could hurt a lot of people.”

Especially businesses relating to the wedding industry, like Donna’s.  She said the argument over the noise ordinance has been active for years and is now reaching a pinnacle.  Recently one of the weddings Townsend was catering was shut down by law enforcement…before dark “…some of my events have been shut down before 8 o’clock, and ...that was due to some improper readings…the decibel level readings were not ready correctly.”

According to the Walton County Chamber of Commerce it’s vague language in the ordinance that is causing confusion. The ordinance as discussed and drafted now doesn’t give a specific decibel level or specific hours allowed for events to occur. Dawn Moliterno is the president and CEO of the Walton Area Chamber.  She says the issue can be solved in a way that benefits both sides:  “I do believe we will be able to have a good dialogue of people that will take away the emotions and the passion and really get down to what needs to be in the ordinance.”

Townsend believes the issue can be resolved “…as long as…it’s reasonable solutions on both sides, then I think it can be resolved. And it has to be resolved. “

There will be an open forum on February 12th for everyone to discuss the issue with the county commission.