Concerns surrounding the noise bylaw in uptown Saint John as it applies to businesses in the bar and restaurant district were discussed by Common Council at its meeting last night.
Council voted unanimously in favour of referring the matter to the Growth Committee.
Councillor Donna Reardon says if changes or amendments are made to the bylaw they have to be thoughtful with the best interests of both residents and businesses in mind.
Reardon says there are best practices across the country and used Spring Garden Road in Halifax as an example because there are people who live there in the midst of a vibrant bar scene.
She says it needs to be explored and investigated.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary brought the motion forward after the owner of Canterbury Lounge on Canterbury Street warned his business, which employs 10 people, might have to close unless the bylaw is changed.
Councillor Gerry Lowe says one of the big problems is the older brick buildings in the area lack insulation, so residents can’t just close their windows to block out the noise.
Councillor Blake Armstrong says there are nineteen restaurants and bars on that one block alone and twenty one years ago there were only three.
Mayor Don Darling says the Growth Committee will discuss the concerns surrounding the noise bylaw at its next meeting on February 7th.
