THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 18, 1995 TAG: 9510180378
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Currituck County residents now have to watch their noise levels, and next year they'll have to keep an eye on their dogs in some subdivisions.
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners on Monday night passed a noise ordinance that will limit loudness during specific hours of the day.
A leash law designed to restrain potentially dangerous or annoying dogs also was approved by the five-member panel. It will take effect Jan. 1.
The noise ordinance goes into effect immediately. Currituck County sheriff's deputies will carry equipment to help determine when a residence or business is exceeding specific noise levels, which change according to the time of day.
Excessively loud music, motor vehicles and ``any animal or bird which makes frequent or long, continued sounds'' will now be prohibited if it ``would unreasonably disturb persons of ordinary and reasonable sensibilities in the vicinity.''
Exceptions to the new rule include scheduled outdoor events, permitted construction from 7 a.m to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. on weekends, safety signals and warning devices, church bells, emergency vehicles and public protests or demonstrations that do not last more than two hours.
Other exemptions are county-sanctioned street fairs, holiday noisemakers and fireworks, community concerts, marching band practice sessions and performances, trains and farm equipment.
Loud mufflers will fall under the new rule. So will recreational vehicles, such as go-carts and dune buggies, creating a lot of nearby noise.
Violators can be fined $50. Permit-holders who surpass a certain noise level could be penalized up to $200.
The noise ordinance passed without opposition, but the leash law, technically called an animal restraint ordinance, did not.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to require property owners to keep dogs on their property or face penalties of up to $500 and 30 days in jail.
Eldon Miller Jr. of Moyock cast the dissenting vote. Minutes earlier, Miller had unsuccessfully tried to have the ordinance apply countywide.
The new regulation will apply only to select subdivisions, including Orchard Park, Ranchland, Wedgewood Lakes, Wedgewood Acres, Shangrila, Bentwood, Suburban Acres, Buckskin Creek, Waterview Shores and Walnut Island.
Added to the list after the last public hearing were East Ridge Estates and Quail Run. Others may be included by petition.
Miller questioned the exclusion of Knotts Island. Some residents had voiced concern with stray cats and dogs at earlier meetings.
The new ordinance also will not apply to dogs being trained or used to hunt.
Commissioners also agreed to allow any adult property owner to file a written complaint against another's annoying animal. Previously, the ordinance required three neighbors to sign the complaint.
In other board business:
Parking will be prohibited on streets in the Whalehead subdivision in Corolla.
Property owners hope this will force more visitors to use parking lots located throughout the beachfront community and improve pedestrian safety.
Parking will no longer be allowed on the road or shoulders of Dolphin, Marlin, Sailfish, Coral, Bonita, Mackeral, Perch, Tuna, Sturgeon, Barracuda and Herring streets.
The new rule also will apply to vacationers whose vehicles overflow from beach-house driveways.
Leasing about 1,519 square feet of office space at the county satellite office in Corolla to Regional Medical Services Inc., a non-profit hospital corporation.
Regional Medical Services will pay $15,190 for the first year, $18,228 during the second and $21,266 for the third year to rent the first-floor space. by CNB