Collier County may limit outdoor concerts after noise complaints

Published:
A crowd at a concert in Collier County. Credit: WINK News

Families in Collier County neighborhoods are fed up with the loud noise from outdoor concerts near their homes, so county commissioners are taking a look at changing the way these events get approved.

The county has a noise ordinance, but Collier County Commissioner Penny Taylor say it is rarely followed, adding that she’s heard complaints from neighbors about loud noise from outdoor concerts even at sites like Sugden Park. Taylor plans on leading a discussion on Tuesday about altering the process required to have an outdoor concert in the county. She says it currently requires the submission of a special events permit and the process is handled administratively, but she believes that should change.

“I think any concert should be brought to the commission for approval up or down, not just handled administratively,” Taylor said. “Leave it on the consent agenda. If a commissioner wants to pull it for discussion, they can. But that also gives the public an opportunity to weigh in.”

Taylor says venues like Paradise Coast Sports Complex and the fairgrounds are some of the best places to hold concerts in Collier County because there’s very little impact to residents nearby.

“That ensures the public, the voters the taxpayers have an active part in maintaining our quality of life, because that’s what this is about: quality of life, not quality of pocketbook,” Taylor said. “People spend their life savings on their homes and they want the quiet that they bought.”

Taylor says she hopes for full support from the other commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting so staff can start working on this.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.