By Rodd Cayton — Village councilors in Corrales are set to get back to an issue some say seriously affects quality of life.
Village staff have placed a discussion of a noise ordinance on the agenda for the Oct. 27 council meeting. The issue was introduced last year and was most recently discussed in July.
Village Administrator Melanie Romero told the Corrales Comment that the draft ordinance going before councilors was put together by comparing the rules of nearby municipalities and a report prepared by a sound engineer.
Among the issues to be discussed, she said, are appropriate daytime and nighttime decibel levels and possible different limits for Corrales’ two different zoning areas that contain housing — the village doesn’t have designated residential zones, but homes are in A-1 and A-2 areas, with minimum lot sizes of 1 and 2 acres, respectively. The majority of commercial zoning in the village is along Corrales Road, with most of the adjoining parcels zoned A-1.
The latest look at the noise ordinance comes as residents have raised concerns about the volume of music coming from some local restaurants and bars. Residents say the noise is disturbing their enjoyment of their property, while business owners say the music is not of an unreasonable volume and is important to their livelihoods.
The draft ordinance is expected to be posted on the village’s agenda page on Oct. 24. Romero said no public comment will be taken during council discussion of the matter, but residents may address it during the Corraleños Forum, which is usually early in the meeting.
Village staff typically use input from councilors to shape the final draft of an ordinance, which is then published, before being finalized at a later public hearing at which interested parties may share their thoughts before the council votes on final approval. A new ordinance would most likely take effect 30 days after passage.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. March 24
WHERE: Village of Corrales Council Chambers, 4324 Corrales Road