Agenda Item IV.D – Land Development Code Update: Sound Level Limits

[Wayne Metlitz]

DCPC Members,

I’m a downtown resident who has personally experienced the impact of excessive noise from Gallagher Square events, which is why this proposed ordinance change is deeply concerning to me.

The idea that existing sound level protections could be broadly waived through permits or administrative approval, without clear limits, public notice, or a meaningful appeal process, feels like a major step backward for residents who rely on these protections.

The current noise ordinance exists to protect residents’ quality of life and to provide a meaningful framework for enforcement and mitigation. Allowing broad exemptions without clear limitations would undermine those protections and create significant uncertainty for downtown residents and communities across the city.

This isn’t theoretical for me. Excessive event noise already affects quality of life, peace at home, and residents’ ability to reasonably enjoy their own living spaces. Expanding the City’s ability to exempt activities from the noise ordinance without stronger safeguards seems unfair and potentially harmful—not just for downtown, but for neighborhoods across San Diego.

I respectfully urge DCPC to support removing Item 11 from the current Land Development Code update and requiring any future proposal to include clear guardrails, transparency and proper public review.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

-Wayne Metlitz