To:        VVHA Membership and Interested Parties 

From:    Jim Lamont

RE:       Update – Proposed Outdoor Amplified Sound Ordinance Amendment 

Date:     May 8, 2007

 

It is recommended that letters be sent to the Town Council by those concerned with the one hour (10 pm to 11 pm), Friday and Saturday extension of outdoor amplified sound. The matter will be decided by the Council on second reading at next Tuesday's (May 15th) evening meeting.

towncouncil@vailgov.com

 

The matter may also be influenced by contacting Skieka Grammshammer directly.  

info@pepis.com  

 

Kaye Ferry and a limited number of other business interests have taken up Skieka Grammshammer's initial request for a 15 minute grace period, pushing it to a full hour extension. 

 

Recently there is a trend from some political /business leaders that Vail Village is an outdoor entertainment center rather than a long-standing, well established "enclosed" mixed-use commercial and residential center.   Many Vail Village residential owners have owned their property for years, well before outdoor amplified sound became an issue.  It is noted that the amplified outdoor sound amendment is part of an increased effort to use the public streets and other outdoor venues more frequently as a means to supplement private and public business income.  Public comments from some elected officials indicate it is a trend that will increasingly treat residential/lodging owners in Vail Village as an expendable constituency and cliental.   

 

Condominium officers, lodge and property managers should be particularly concerned with this matter as owners and guest complaints will be directed to them.  They should insure that all outdoor amplified sound complaints are promptly registered with the Vail Police Department and Town Council members.  Additionally, condominium officers may wish to have their individual owners weigh in with the Town Council by letter as well. 

 

Please forward as appropriate. 

Bars may get to make music later

Under proposal, guitar music can waft onto Bridge Street until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays

 

Edward Stoner
Vail, CO Colorado

Vail Daily
May 1, 2007

VAIL — Jim Lamont said he didn’t want his organization to be a killjoy.

“It’s not killjoy, it’s buzzkill,” said Councilman Greg Moffet.

Lamont, executive director of the Vail Village Homeowners Association, was the only person at a meeting Tuesday who opposed a proposed law that would allow bars with singers to keep their windows open a little longer on weekends.

The proposed law would extend the deadline for “amplified noise” from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in Vail Village and Lionshead.

Homeowners oppose the change and will be calling the town to complain, Lamont said.

“People go to bed at 10,” Lamont said.

Despite Lamont’s protests, the Vail Town Council gave preliminary approval to the proposed law.

Vail is supposed to be a fun place, and that’s why many people visit town,Moffet said.

“There are so many quiet residential areas in the town that (living) in the village seems to be a self-inflicted wound,” Moffet said.

Sheika Gramshammer, longtime owner of the Gasthof Gramshammer and Pepi’s Restaurant on Vail’s main corner, campaigned to loosen the rules after she got a noise ticket last summer because her singer was playing on her deck too late.

The music adds to the vitality of the town, she has said.

But several homeowners have written letters saying they don’t want the law to change.

The proposed law is a good compromise between bars and homeowners, Councilman Kevin Foley said. And it could be adjusted down the road if needed, Foley said.

“This summer, we can monitor it,” he said.

Rod Slifer, who lives in the village, voted in favor of the proposal but said he might vote against it when it comes up for final approval, citing neighbors’ potential concerns.


Staff Writer Edward Stoner can be reached at 748-2929 or estoner@vaildaily.com.