Elgin considers surcharge to curb downtown noise

It soon could cost a little more to see bands play in downtown Elgin under a proposal from a committee that has suggested solutions to control noise.

The committee, which will present its recommendations to the city council Wednesday, was formed after people living in downtown row homes and condos complained about noise levels coming from bands playing at Mad Maggie's and the Elgin RoadHouse.

One possibility is a $1-per-person surcharge for when live bands play. Money would go toward a city grant program for businesses that need more than $10,000 in sound dampening work.

Another is that new businesses coming into downtown would have to complete noise impact studies.

"It's a compromise we think we've met," said Robert Gilliam, committee member, council member and downtown resident. "It gives guidance for people coming into downtown (to open a bar)."

Businesses that exceed acceptable sound levels can participate in a commercial sound abatement program, through which the city pays for half of any improvement up to $5,000.

For additional expenses, what Gilliam deems an "entertainment tax" of $1 per person would kick in.

The recommendations, which the city council will consider June 23, also contains a provision for the city to pay 50 percent of the cost for nearby residents to soundproof windows up to $2,500 per unit.

Overall, noise levels would be limited to 70 decibels, from the property line of the person who lives near the venue, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 60 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

"It's a good compromise between real loud and too quiet," said Greg Shannon, committee member and co-owner of the Elgin Public House. "Everybody is really going to be happy with it once we get into the compliance stage."

The noise ordinance will be reviewed over the course of a year. Businesses have three months to make improvements to comply. The owners of the RoadHouse and Mad Maggies could not be reached Monday.

"The ordinance allows for what the task force considers a 'reasonable' amount of sound emanation from the source - just enough to create an environment of life, activity and momentum in the downtown," wrote Tonya Hudson, committee chairman and executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, in a report.

Three downtown residents and committee members - Kurt Kresmery, Jim McGough and Andy Kwiatkowski - voted against the recommendations. They could not immediately be reached for comment Monday, but will present a minority report Wednesday to the city.