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Developing a new Healdsburg Noise Ordinance
New Noise Ordinance History Timeline
February 3, 2003 - Planning Director tells City Council that considerable rewriting of new ordinance required.
Thanks to everyone who came to the January 13 Public Forum for the Nov. 5 DRAFT Ordinance. STAY TUNED
January 13, 2003 Public Forum for the Nov 5 DRAFT Ordinance
December 18, 2002 - Letter to the Editor: How the Christmas Faerie tried to give a present to each and every one.
December 10, 2002 - ourHealdsburg.com REVIEW, commentary, and suggested revisions to DRAFT Ordinance.
November 5, 2002 - Healdsburg Planning Department issues DRAFT Noise Ordinance
August 14, 2002 - Letter to the Editor, Carrot and the Stick - Syar and the CEQA process.
August 13, 2002 REPORT to Healdsburg Planning Commission What are our Noise Ordinance Goals?
August 2002 - The END Group develops web based noise education on OurHealdsburg.com
July 31, 2002 - COMMUNITY FORUM - Noise Regulation and Land Use
July 8, 2002 - Jim Syar refuses to attend noise abatement project meeting!
June 12, 2002 - Letter to the Healdsburg Tribune Editor
June 3, 2002 - Healdsburg City Council authorizes new noise ordinance study.
March 2002 - California Operating Engineers Union gets involved in town business.
February 25, 2002 - Progress Report No. 1. Syar presents consultant’s noise and dust Mitigation Plan
January 24, 2002 The END Group Newsletter No. 1 January 24, 2002
January 9, 2002 - Community Field Trip and Syar Plant Tour
December 4, 2001 - Community Round Table Discussion of Syar noise and dust issues.
December 10, 2001 - END Group organized. What about noise pollution, what is END trying to do?
September 2001 - Terry Rusinow Letters to the Editor regarding Syar Industries noise and hours of operations.
What is the END Group all about?
End Noise and Dust = END is a group of citizens in Healdsburg determined to improve our quality of life and end unnecessary noise and dust pollution. For the past decade many individuals living on the south side of Healdsburg have become increasingly disturbed by the uncontrolled noise and dust pollution created by Syar Industries Sand and Gravel plant on Healdsburg Avenue. Syar's production had increased tremendously in the past decade to where over 400 double trailer truckloads of materials are now shipped daily. Our community tried to get both Syar management and the City of Healdsburg officials to address the problems to no avail. Working individually their concerns went unheeded.
In September 2001 Terry Rusinow had enough. She wrote letters to the Editor of the Healdsburg Tribune, and circulated a petition in the neighborhood calling for the city administration to confront the noise and dust issues. Over two hundred people signed. In the process of walking door to door getting those signatures she met others who had been frustrated by their inability to get the city to respond to their needs over the years. In December a small group got together to organize; Joe Hadley, Richard Janosko, Barbara Medaille, Terry Rusinow, and Bob Veeneman. The name, END was selected because is represented the the reason we were organizing, to End Noise and Dust.
In response to the petition, on December 5 the City
Council held a session to discuss the issues with Syar management. Jim Syar, one
of the two owners of Syar Industries
headed the Syar representatives. Syar promised to start a program of noise and
dust abatement and hire professionals to conduct noise and dust studies to be
presented at future meetings. On January 9, 2002 we conducted a joint
END/Healdsburg Administration/Syar Management Tour of the Syar facilities and nearby residential areas.
Syar owns hundreds of acres of prime riverside
property inside the city limits.
Look at the aerial photo to see how close the Syar dust machines are to Badger Park. Syar Industries is surrounded on three sides by Healdsburg residential areas, some dating from the 1860's.
Two photos (Click to enlarge) of the Russian River bend. A very beautiful spot. Badger Park is on the left, Syar Industries is on the right. Click on these pictures for a larger view.
The problem with noise and dust isn’t only that its unwanted, but it also negatively affects human health and well-being. Problems related to noise include hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep loss, distraction and lost productivity, and a general reduction in the quality of life and opportunities for tranquility.
Our efforts to control Healdsburg Syar Industries Sand and Gravel plant second-hand noise and dust is part of a greater effort to protect that which is held in common by the public from exploitation, abuse, and degradation. Other efforts to protect our environment include protecting our public lands and parks, air, water, rivers, habitat, species, and bio-diversity. What these efforts share is the recognition that our well-being is enhanced when the commons is used to maximize opportunities for everyone, and degraded when the used to maximize profits or opportunities for a few.
Some individuals and businesses feel they have a right to use a common resource in any way they see fit. These people mistakenly extend their own private property rights to those publicly owned. These people are acting as bullies, claiming rights and freedoms that are not theirs while degrading resources that are ours. Syar’s right to create noise ends at our ears.
Polluting our environment is not a right. Our effort to reduce noise pollution in Healdsburg is similar to efforts to reduce other types of pollution and reassert our community stewardship over our environment. Whether the issue is second-hand smoke, auto emissions, or noise, the goal is to protect the environment and our health and well-being.
Competing uses that exclude other uses of our environment, or damaging uses that detract from other uses, are not wise uses. Noise is not a wise use, like many other pollutants, it precludes many enjoyable uses of our town's parks, and outdoor areas of our homes. Loud outdoor alcoholic beverage establishments, early morning garbage pick-up, or sand and gravel operations trump sleeping, reading, working, or listening to music.
We want to improve Healdsburg's well-being by establishing an ethic for the commons that allows for as many non-consumptive and non-rival uses as possible. Healdsburg citizen’s well-being is enhanced when individuals or groups such as END succeed. Help us by spreading the message that good neighbors keep their noise to themselves.
December 18, 2002
The Christmas Faerie Letter to the Editor - Healdsburg Tribune
The Christmas NOISE Faerie was busy this season. As you may recall the City Planning Department issued a DRAFT new Noise Ordinance on November 5. They did their best to hand out presents for everyone, just in time for the Holidays.
First of course, Syar Sand and Gravel. The proposed new ordinance was carefully crafted to assure, upper noise limits were reduced, but not too much, “nighttime” hours were changed, but not too much, (they still get to operate on Saturdays) and most importantly - low frequency noises are not measured. Is Syar happy?, at a General Plan update meeting on November 12 , Syar Vice President John Perry said “We don’t have any problems with the new noise ordinance”. Syar’s gift allows them to continue operating just as they have. Their low frequency noise making equipment can run as usual day and night. The 55 decibel limit really won’t affect them at all.
Hotel Healdsburg and John Holt got their present too. In the Summer of 2001 during the Healdsburg Bar and Grill outdoor amplified noise controversy, they suggested that Healdsburg should adopt the City of Mill Valley noise ordinance. He got his wish. The proposed draft is almost a word-for-word copy. What didn’t change is the new noise ordinance leaves in place the bizarre regulation for downtown amplified noise.
Not exactly of course,
careful editing allowed the Planning Department to give a bunch of presents. For
example:
The construction industry gets six noise day weeks. Even though there is very little agricultural zoned land in Healdsburg, “Agriculture” got their present too. And the Jocks and Soccer Moms also got exactly what they wanted: unlimited ability to make as much amplified noise at any park or recreation area in town!
Oh yes, by the way there is no amplified sound regulation for any activity!
Ever wanted to run your lawn mower or leaf blower until 9 p.m.? Now you can. How’s that for a gift to your neighbors!
Who got a lump of coal instead of a present? The residential neighborhoods. Proposed nighttime noise level of 55 decibels is twice as loud as the World Health Organization recommendations”. The Syar gift and unlimited amplified noise from sports fields 24 hours, 7 days per week will continue to torture nearby residents. Richard Janosko
Read the ourHealdsburg.com REVIEW, commentary, and suggested revisions to the Nov. 5 DRAFT Noise Ordinance
Where doe Sonoma County get it's sand and gravel in the future?
Existing alternative sand and gravel sources in the such as those in Yolo County and other Central California areas will replace the necessary building materials produced at Syar's Healdsburg site. There will not be a loss of jobs, they'll just be distributed in loading sites located in each city along the NWP Railroad tracks!
July 31, 2002, The first COMMUNITY NOISE FORUM Check this site for updates and news. Dr. Hogan promises a draft ordinance within two to four months.
July 16, 2002 Press Democrat Editorial
Follow the bouncing pebble ...
Syar Industries takes years of heat from environmental groups who don't like gravel skimming.
Syar gets beat up by Healdsburg residents and elected officials who don't like the noise made by the company's machinery.
Syar decides to block a footpath through its property that has been used for portage by canoeists and kayakers for decades.
These events may be totally unrelated. After all, Syar contends that it closed the path because the company is concerned that it will be sued if someone is hurt while using the footpath -- a legitimate concern in this litigious society.
But if that's the case, why close the path now? Why not several years ago? And why do it without first working with the city of Healdsburg, county officials and river users to see if other options exist to reduce the company's liability?
Gravel companies have been villainized -- sometimes unfairly -- for their role in the degradation of the river. Now Syar has given people a real reason to be angry.
July 8, 2002 Syar report meeting - JIM SYAR REFUSES TO ATTEND !
MEETING CANCELLED. Report is still due!
Syar was to present an update on their noise and dust abatement project but decided since the city is proceeding with a revised noise ordinance they won't attend meeting!
Syar Industries announced at the noise Forum, starting August 17 they will not operate their equipment after 8 pm Friday night and all day Saturday until a new noise ordinance is implemented, but they look forward to the CEQA process. What does this mean? Read about Syar's Carrot and Stick shown at that meeting.
June 12, 2002 Letter to the Healdsburg Tribune Editor
A city councilperson recently said to me: “I thought you were a bunch of kooks, but you turned out to be really nice people”. Editor Barry Dugan’s comments last week were a welcome sign that the significant environmental and health issues caused by Syar’s industrial plant within city limits has finally risen to the consciousness of the powers that be, that the noise and dust are real, and Healdsburg citizens are very concerned about their quality of life.
Syar operates six days a week, from 6 am to 10 pm. The noise and dust have been a neighborhood concern for decades. City hall has benignly ignored all protests until this past Fall, when hundreds outraged citizens signed a petition asking the city to finally act.
Mr. Dugan’s editorial, lacking new insights, points out the obvious: this is a “land-use” issue, it is the city government’s responsibility to find a solution, it is no one’s fault, and Syar’s “neighbors have every right to voice their displeasure with the company.” He starts with the premise “what is lacking in the debate is some middle ground.”, and ends with: “and it is the residents’ responsibility to participate in creating a solution.”
Apparently unnoticed is the very active neighborhood participation. Its been the residents that have organized neighborhood tours, suggested and facilitated noise studies, provided examples and guidance to the city for rewriting Healdsburg’s antiquated noise ordinance, urged the EPA for better air quality monitoring, and shown up in large numbers at City Council meetings.
Also unnoticed, we have found a “middle ground”. At one extreme are those in the neighborhood that want Syar shut down immediately, while others suggest limiting Syar’s hours of operation to standard business hours: 7 to 5, Monday through Friday.
The “middle ground” we proposed is to give us back our weekends. Along with continued noise and dust mitigation, we want Syar’s operations to stop 5 pm Friday. No Friday night or Saturday operation.
Everyone, including Jim Syar, recognizes that whatever the historical context, this industrial operation is now in the wrong place, and eventually must go! Healdsburg is now the darling of the “hip”. The development possibilities for the large Syar riverside properties are limited only by a lack of imagination.
Existing alternative sand and gravel sources, (including other Syar operations) will replace the jobs and necessary building materials produced at this site. Richard Janosko, Healdsburg
June 3, 2002 the Healdsburg City Council authorized a noise
consultant, Michael Hogan, Ph.D. dba Lumina Technologies to
develop a new city noise ordinance.
Dr. Hogan stated his methods would include examination of up to 10 other city noise ordinances as models. His goal is preserving and protecting Healdsburg's existing low noise levels, and develop methods of enforcement to monitor and regulate existing nonconforming industries or noise sources. The new ordinance will focus on "land use compatibility issues and not barking dogs". He hopes the ordinance will improve the city's enforcement power using modern noise monitoring equipment and training existing city staff to operate the equipment.
The development of the new noise ordinance will include several public input meetings in July and August.
What does a sound level meter look like? Click
to enlarge.
March 2002 Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 District News website: had to say about the situation.
Syar Industries of Healdsburg had its normal winter layoff. The company
has been able to keep a number of operators working on the day shift, but had to
cut back on the swing shift.
There have been mounting concerns from local residents about the dust and noise
created on the swing shift. At a Healdsburg City Council meeting in December,
Jim Syar, president of Syar Industries, in the spirit of being a good
neighbor, addressed the city council and local residents to explain what steps
Syar Industries has taken and will take to help curtail the noise and dust
problems.
A small number of our members attended that meeting. We are hoping that this
problem can be resolved. But if opposition continues to try and shut down Syar's
swing shift, then the Rohnert Park District 10 office will call on all members
in Healdsburg and the surrounding areas to show Local 3's support for Syar
Industries and jobs for our members.
[ Seems like they missed the point. The noise and dust pollution goes on all day from 6a.m. till 10 p.m., six days a week! We really don't need outside agitators or people who don't reside in Healdsburg adding to our problems. END Group.]
February 25, 2002 7:00 P.M. Syar presented their consultant’s noise report and their proposed noise and dust Mitigation Plan, and Timeline. Even their own sound consultant conceded that Healdsburg's noise ordinance is out of date and inadequate for controlling noise from large industrial plants such as Syar Industries plant near the heart of Healdsburg.
January 24, 2002 End Syar's Noise and Dust Newsletter No. 1
If you want to see things change, we need you at the next meeting! If you or your neighbors have not signed the main petition, please stop by at Terry Rusinow’s store Options at 126 Matheson and add your name. We need to continue to create a solid list of people who oppose the noise, hours and dust, as this will be a long process and we need on-going support from the community if anything is going to change. FOR INFORMATION CALL TERRY: (707) 433-6484
January 9, 2002 Syar Sand and Gravel Plant Tour
More Photos of
Syar Industries
Study: Pollution May Cause Asthma
February 2, 2002
Washington POST Study: Pollution May Cause Asthma February 2, 2002
America's air should be scrubbed of pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and tiny particulate dust ...
The researchers .. focused their study on children who participated in active sports, which would require them to draw up to 17 times the "normal" amount of air sucked into the lungs of a child who was relatively inactive.
"..on days when air pollution levels are expected to be high, children should limit prolonged outdoor exertion." Read the full Study
December 4, 2001 - Community Round Table City Council holds informal round table discussion with public input about problems.
Discussion of Syar noise and dust issues. Meeting with Jim Syar and company representatives.
Jim Syar demonstrates sound deadening materials for chutes, shows less-noisy conveyor belts, and promises to implement these features as old equipment wears out. Mr. Syar, President of Syar Industries promises to reduce the noise and dust. He commits to several follow up progress report meetings with the city.
Northern California River Watch reports:
The Syar Industries Healdsburg gravel processing and asphalt-concrete plant is
adjacent to the Russian River. Syar has failed to comply with the terms and
conditions of California's General Industrial Storm Water Permit for Industrial
Storm Water Discharges. River Watch is seeking to bring the facility into
compliance with the procedural requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit.
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