Citizens comment on Vancouver Noise By-law amendments going to Council April 23, pointing out deficiencies needing attention

Above: City of Vancouver logo for noise by-law review.

Vancouver City Council will receive a report from city staff on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 entitled “Item 4 – Noise Control By-Law Review – Phase One. Concerned citizens may download the report and write to council at this link https://council.vancouver.ca/20240423/regu20240423ag.htm

Below is a letter two Vancouver citizens well-versed in the city’s noise policies and issues have written to Council for this upcoming meeting. We share it here with permission.

In May 2023, CityHallWatch sponsored a webinar on urban noise in the context of the Vancouver’s review of the noise bylaw, and this month we launched the CHW Vancouver Noise Task Force. Please see this page for more info: https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/special-topics/noise-task-force/

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Vancouver Noise Control By-law

I responding to the invitation to comment on the Council Bylaw to be brought to Council on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

I have read the proposed By-law on noise control.

In my opinion, I believe there are some serious deficiencies in the By-law scope and enforcement.

According to the cumulative research, acoustic noise harms individuals and animals.  As this proposed By-law is scheduled and debated, it is a fitting coincidence that the Vancouver Sun, has published an article on April 19, 2024, “Silent Trails” which outlines that “there is evidence that noise pollution can have a negative impact on health and increase the risk of hypertension.” As a result of the harm, the proponents advocate for healthy nature environments. [‘Silent trails’ coming to Metro Vancouver parks in pilot project
Silent trails may be a new designation in Metro Vancouver regional parks to create spaces for the restorative practice of forest bathing – online link here]

The article refers to Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist, who states that “silence is an endangered species.”  The article on Silent Trails refers specifically to noise in parks.  It is a good beginning—but only a beginning.  Much more needs to be done to enforce noise control in the whole city.

Vancouver Council has presented itself as a body that cares about Vancouver’s “peaceful enjoyment of the city”, health and environmental well-being.  The Vancouver Charter states that Council should regulate noises or sounds that “disturb, or tend to disturb, the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood, or of persons in the vicinity.”

Yet, their proposed By-law shows little regard for the steps that need to be taken to promote this espoused value of a healthy city.  The emphasis of the By-law seems to be on creating a band-aid solution for a limited number of known noise irritants, such as construction, large entertainment performances, outdoor events, landscaping equipment, barking dogs, etc.

While a “vibrant arts and culture environment” is necessary and desirable for a city to thrive, specific action needs to be taken to understand the complementary need for noise control for those citizens who are in the proximity of the noise and those who cannot, for a variety of reasons, move away from the noise.

 The following deficiencies need attention:

Decibel levels are not the only criteria that should used to determine acceptable or unacceptable noise irritants.  For example, even though a constant “boom boom” base amplification may satisfy a decibel level, the noise intrusion may still be a serious irritant and hazard to good health.    Consider retail staff inside a grocery store who have no control over the booming music coming from overhead speakers all day long.  Or waiters in restaurants, who need to work in a hazardous noise environment for many hours. 

Up until now, so-called “quiet beaches” have regular and chronic intrusions of illegal noise events from individuals with amplified music, that have no legal authority for the performance.  Where is the authority to enforce any of these incidents?

Also, sports events, such as volleyball tournaments on so-called quiet beaches, have amplified music that harms not only the spectators and neighbours, but the athletes themselves.  Research has indicated that levels of amplification can have even more harmful effects on people undertaking simultaneous vigorous exercise.  This harm is especially concerning on younger people who are usually the athletes at these tournaments (check American Academy of Pediatrics website:  http://www.healthychildren.org)

Consider the fact that Vancouver is a city bounded by many bodies of water.  Water amplifies “boom boom” noise across the bay.  Consider that high rises are echo chambers for amplified noise that keeps people indoors when they should be able to enjoy their balconies for a breath of fresh air.  This intrusion was particularly difficult during the Covid restrictions for homebound seniors that were trapped inside their hot apartments because the reverberating “boom boom” noise levels were so high on the so-called “quiet” beaches in their neighbourhood that they couldn’t go outside. There was no enforcement at so-called “quiet beaches” such as Sunset Beach.

“Day time” or “night time” definitions appear to ignore the needs of a large number of Vancouver citizens who work shifts.  When are they supposed to get a restful sleep?

Enforcement:  The proposed By-law states that “There are no financial implications requiring Council’s consideration”.  Enforcement now is almost non-existent.  How can there be enforcement if no financial resources are committed to enforcement?

Signed by Mary Anne Epp and Margaret Friesen