Noise Problem on Barker's Island May be Toned Down
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SUPERIOR - "We can't afford to lose more customers, more marina residents," Joe Radtke from the Barker's Island Marina said.
Business has been the first thing on the mind for both the marina and hotel on Barker's Island.
Unfortunately, both may have to take a hit when coming to the middle on the latest problem.
"Based on the experience last year, they are undertandably concerened of what they're going to be seeing this year," Radtke said.
Radtke said about six boaters left the marina due to noise problems last summer.
For marina residents, last night's decision by the city council, that allows the inn to keep throwing already-planned outdoor events this summer, still brings concerns about noise.
However, the inn says they are meeting in the middle by agreeing to special restrictions, like shutting music off for weddings at 11 p.m. and not midnight.
"We've come to the conclusion that the marina and hotel aren't going to completely agree on a time," Johnson said. "We tried to do as much as we could do to help the boater concerns but also not affect our business too drastically."
The rules agreed on last night have cleared up things for this summer, but both the marina and the inn agree something more specific should be figured out for the future.
"We still need to come to the table and come to a long-term resolution," Johnson said. "We're not booking anything for next year at this time until the council ahs a chance to look at the ordinances and the permit prcoess."
"It's not just somehthing that can be done with a simple fix," Radtke said. "It's a comprehnsive effort thats nessacry to deal with something like noise."
Both agree those concrete rules cannot come soon enough.
"The current process doesnt allow for businesses to be successful long term," Johnson said.
"I think for everybody there needs to be clear direction of where we're gonna go," Radtke said.
With sails setting up and weddings just around the corner, both the marina and the inn hope a clear line will make them good neighbors in the future.
The Superior License and Fees Committee is set to take up the issue on May 14.
The marina management said they will be using new tools to measure the noise and see if things will be better for boaters.
The hotel has to hold off on any new bookings until the city comes up an ordinance or permit that will adress outdoor noise. Currently, each event had to be applied as a separate permit.
