Costa Mesa : Council Considers Survey on Amphitheater Noise

The City Council Monday will consider whether to conduct a survey of residents living near the Pacific Amphitheatre to determine if changes in concert schedules at the outdoor theater have helped to cut down on noise complaints.

The amphitheater, located on state-owned property of the Orange County Fairgrounds, has sparked numerous complaints about excessive noise from nearby residents since its opening in 1983. Several criminal and civil actions have been launched by the city and residents to reduce the noise.

In recent weeks, however, schedules at the amphitheater have been moved up to permit concerts to end earlier at night, Alan Roeder, assistant city manger, said.

If the council decides to launch the survey--prepared by the city after the council voted 4 to 1 on June 3 to draw one up--about 1,800 questionnaires would be distributed to homes in the College Park and Mesa del Mar tracts, Roeder said.

Conducting the survey and tabulating the results could take eight to 10 weeks, he predicted, adding that the results would be submitted to the City Council.