An update to Whistler’s noise control bylaw, given first three readings at the July 6 meeting, led to a discussion about stiffer fines for infractions.
The bylaw update proposed a penalty of $250 for noise infractions stemming from house parties or outside of designated quiet hours (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.).
“I just see that when there’s a party and a bunch of people, and they split it and they all chip in 10 bucks, it’s not very onerous,” said Councillor Cathy Jewett.
Jewett noted the penalty for construction and industrial noise in prohibited hours (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) is $500.
“I was just thinking why don’t we go to the same level,” she said.
After a short discussion, council opted to defer the fee schedule bylaw to a later meeting.
“Prior to making that change I think a wise step would be perhaps for staff to go back, do an analysis of neighbouring communities and other Lower Mainland communities to make sure that we are in line with what’s typical, and to talk to those communities about any experience they’ve had with higher fines prior to writing this into law,” said general manager of corporate and community services Ted Battiston.
The noise bylaw was last updated in 2004. The new update implements clearer language and removes non-enforceable aspects—specifically, the definition for personal watercraft or snowmobiles on Alta Lake, Green Lake, Lost Lake and the River of Golden Dreams.
Waterways are the jurisdiction of the federal and provincial governments, noted protective services planning analyst Kevin Creery in a presentation to council.
“In terms of enforcement, that includes the Conservation Officer Service … and also the RCMP, and they can enforce provincial and federal legislation on lakes and rivers in Whistler,” Creery said.
RMOW bylaw officers respond to about 50 noise complaints a year, Creery said.
“Since January 2019 I think it was 143 complaints over that period, so it averages about 50 a year,” he said.
