Commission to consider changes to enforcement

Complaints of excessive noise in the Siesta Key Village aren’t a new issue, but a possible change in the enforcement of noise ordinances could be coming.

According to Sarasota Commissioner Nora Patterson, there has been an increase in the amount of noise complaints in the Village, which had previously been peaceful for quite some time.

In a few weeks, commissioners will receive the results of a report examining the way other communities handle live entertainment and permits.

Furthermore, it also will consider suggestions from Siesta Key Association board members, who want to increase the number of code enforcement officers working on the Key.

“We want people to be able to have a good time,” SKA President Catherine Luckner said. “We just want them to have a good time in a predictable way, so that people can get to sleep.”

Patterson said she would be willing to consider the idea of having additional code enforcement officers periodically monitor the area, but budget restraints likely would not allow for dedicated officers, and she wouldn’t be willing to take the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office out of the equation.

Luckner said it also is difficult to consistently enforce the noise ordinances, because several Village bars have been grandfathered in under older rules and have special exceptions. With limited resources available to monitor the noise and the added confusion of the special exceptions, SKA board members said adding officers would be an easier solution than amending the ordinance.

Norman Amort, manager of Tropical Breeze Resort, which has some units in close proximity to the Village, agreed that sound always will remain a concern in the Village. However, he believes the issue has stabilized in recent years.

“It hasn’t been much different than the last few years,” Amort said. “I haven’t had anybody call me to complain. The only things I’ve been hearing are some people making their way from the Village back to residential areas who might be a little loud or rowdy, but that’s not uncommon near spring break.”

Sarasota County Code Enforcement Officer John Lally said the Village’s especially busy season is likely a contributing factor, because more people naturally will create more noise. As far as the number of complaints, Lally hasn’t experienced more complaints than normal and reported that there have only been a few violations.

Ryan Schmidt, general manager of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, said although deputies have responded to noise complaints at the establishment recently, the bar’s meter readings have been within the legal decibel range.

“We do everything we can to stay in compliance,” Schmidt said. “(The Key) gets to a point where we’re at a peak. Last weekend was a peak — there was a lot going on, but we had our typical volume of music and were legally permitted for a charity event in our parking lot.”

Schmidt said the bar continues to receive complaints, but he isn’t sure what else can be done, because deputies have determined their decibel readings to be in compliance with sound ordinances, and the bar stops live music at the proper time.

“It’s the sign of a vibrant, thriving economy,” Schmidt said. “But we do everything we can to make sure we’re following the rules.”

Patterson said when the county receives the results of the report, staff will offer advice and estimated costs before commissioners make any decisions.

“Everybody’s got a right here,” Patterson said. “We want the restaurants and businesses to be able to thrive, but we also want the residents to be able to sleep, because they have rights, too.”