La Palma City Council Discusses New Noise Regulations and Investing in Outdoor Dining

The City of La Palma Courtesy photo

By E. Issac Lee

The La Palma City Council met on June 1 to discuss a change in ordinance, as well as plan to invest in an outdoor dining area near a local business, Boba Time. An ordinance to comply with organic waste reduction goals set by the state is also in the works.

Planning Manager Scott Hunter introduced an ordinance to amend city codes relating to noise regulation – specifically City Zoning Code Section 44-267 and 44-366. The City Council agreed to introduce the ordinance in a unanimous vote. After a second reading in August and a 30 day period, the new regulations will come into effect.

The ordinance has two parts. First, it will standardize the way noise is measured by establishing a clear and defined city protocol.

“Specifically, Zoning Code Section 44-267 clarifies where measurements of noise are taken over cumulative periods of time,” Hunter said.

Having compared La Palma’s regulations to other cities, Hunter found that La Palma’s were “vague and not very clear.” He then worked with the city attorney’s office to update noise measuring standards. He stated the new standards would be comparable to those used by neighboring cities like Cypress and Buena Park.

The second part will prevent loading and unloading activities on commercial properties that are adjacent to homes between 7 pm and 7 am. City enforcement staff will issue citations to initial violations, followed up by fines.

The city council acknowledged, though, that the current budget reserved for enforcing this ordinance would be limited. The team behind the ordinance stated there were no plans to increase enforcement over the weekends – something that was asked about by a member of the public. To make up for this, enforcement may be carried out by the police department. The police already have a precedent for this behavior, as they have previously handed out parking tickets to commercial drivers who have violated parking regulations.

Businesses will be notified prior to the regulations taking effect. The planning manager and his colleagues are also open to speaking with the public and businesses, possibly on a weekly or monthly basis. Additionally, the exact language and material related to the ordinance (including the noise complaint procedure and enforcement) are available online for the public.

“The proposed ordinance will bring the city standards pertaining to noise and loading into alignment with neighboring municipal jurisdictions,” Hunter said.

Additionally, the City Council has decided on what to do with a $50,000 grant it received from the county. The Council will be investing the funds into commercial centers, allowing them to implement better outdoor dining and social distancing methods.

The Council has coordinated with a local business in La Palma, Boba Time, and will be investing the grant to turn an empty space near the business into an outdoor dining area. The plan includes permanent tables, chairs, and umbrellas.

The Council hopes this measure will invigorate business in the area, as well as providing more options for the public to eat in a socially-distanced manner.

Finally, the council is responding to Senate Bill 1383. This legislation, established in 2016, mandated a goal to reduce organic waste disposal by 2020.

City staff will be working to create an inspection program and work on enforcement, and will introduce an ordinance draft by August, 2021. Should it be approved, it will go into effect in October, with city employees working to inform the public and local businesses about the program in the months after.