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Show Neighbors Complain About Noise By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor BOUNTIFUL How far can a city go to restrict an activity deemed to be a "nuisance" to neighbors? THIS ISSUE was "batted around" by the Bountiful City Council Coun-cil last Wednesday night -- with no apparent solution. Several residents living south of 1800 South near Springcreek Drive complained to the council that youths skating on a large wooden skateboard platform were creating a nuisance in the neighborhood. They asked the city to intervene in their problem by passing a stricter city ordinance. "THAT WOULDN'T do any good because any revised ordinance ordi-nance would affect only nuisance problems in the future and could not be retroactive to include this complaint," Mayor Dean S. Stahle told the irate group. City Manager Tom Hardy explained that the problem could not be handled by the city police or through prosecution by the city because there are no provisions for action by the city. "IF IT FELL under the city ordinance controlling nuisance, the person in violation would be cited for criminal prosecution not simply civil action and I don't think you want that," said Mr. Hardy. He explained that the neighbors could file a group civil action in : court seeking an injunction, or stoppage of the nuisance. But ; Mike Denning, spokesperson, said they would rather not get : involved in a court suit because there would be bitter feelings for a long time. "All we want is to have the nuisance discontinued so that we can have peace of mind again," he told the council. THE COUNCIL agreed that this was the first case of nuisance to come before them regarding a skateboard platform but if this activity catches on, there could be future complaints. Neighbors said the board was used by several teenaged boys "almost every evening and on Saturdays." During the summer, they said, the board was used from early morning until late evening. They also objected to loud radio music and harsh language lan-guage from the youths using the board. "IT GOT TO be such a nuisance that I couldn't enjoy working in my garden," said one neighbor. Others said the "racket" of skates on board was "getting to be unbearable." One resident of the area suggested that the city purchase the board and use it in a recreation park. Residents said they had 23 signatures of 17 homeowners in the immediate area who objected to the constant noise deemed to be a nuisance. COUNCILMAN Harold Shafter said he was sympathetic with the residents but noted that he has a neighbor who "likes to use the chainsaw at all hours." "I deem this to be a nuisance to me and my neighbors, but what can we do about it?" Thcarea residents agreed to meet again with the "offenders" and attempt to reach an agreement. City officials said they would assist wherever possible, but that the city, too, was restricted in what it could do. |