Noise Law Won’t Be Reviewed

The Redondo Beach City Council voted 3 to 2 Tuesday not to review the city’s noise ordinance and to postpone considering a change in the ordinance proposed by Southern California Edison Co., whose power plant in the city has generated complaints about noise.

Before the vote, Mayor Brad Parton threatened to veto any decision by the council to reconsider the ordinance before the city finishes studying it.

The council last reviewed the ordinance in August, when it voted unanimously to wait at least six months before giving further consideration to an Edison proposal to establish a noise limit of 64 decibels, measured at the power plant’s borders. The change was proposed by company officials after months of negotiation with City Atty. Gordon Phillips.

Under the present ordinance, noise levels are measured at a complaining resident’s home. Legal limits are 50 decibels during the day and 45 at night.

Residents have complained that noise from generators, fans and other Edison equipment disturbs their sleep and daytime activities.

City Manager Tim Casey said the city attorney and a noise consultant will continue studying how noise is measured under the present ordinance. Their report will be completed in about three months, he said.