Page 112 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County
P. 112
CHAPTER 5: ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS
• Audio Controls: The use of directional
speakers and proper audio mixing (e.g. Events within Roadways
de-emphasizing bass frequencies) were Events within rights-of-way such as bicycle
cited as techniques to reduce noise impacts. races, runs, and parades, are not subject to
None of the participants used noise (decibel) land use review but do require Event Permits
meters to measure sound levels, but did through the County’s Traffic Engineering and
Operations Sections. Permit requirements
actively monitor levels by checking volume include: certificate of insurance, indemnity
levels (by ear) on their grounds. Adhering agreement, route map, traffic control and park-
to regulations, particularly late evening ing plan, Sheriff's Office approval, and agree-
limits on noise, was also cited as a common ment to clean the course following the event.
practice to avoid conflicts with neighbors.
None of the participants cited conflicts with The county has received some comments from
neighboring agricultural operations but residents about roadway events, including re-
it should be noted that the time-of-day ports of noise and suggestions that applicants be
controls are more apt to mitigate impacts required to provide prior notice to affected Citi-
to residential land uses than to agricultural zen Participation Organizations (CPOs) and show
land uses (i.e. if noise were to impact how an event will benefit the immediate com-
livestock, the looser controls during the day munity. In certain cases, events were noted as
and early evening may not be adequate). making a roadway inaccessible to residents that
live along it, especially where alternative entry/
• Good Neighbor Policies: Providing advanced
information about an event to a neighbor, exit is unavailable. Some note inability to leave
or inviting them to attend, were cited as their properties to run errands, but of particu-
examples of engaging nearby land owners lar concern, one event was said to significantly
delay a resident from exiting her property for
in order to head off possible impacts or medical care. The County may need to consider
complaints. These good-neighbor actions how road Event Permit applicants can be held to
include advising neighbors about pending compliance with traffic plans approved as part of
impacts including the generation of noise, permitting, to ensure that essential road access
dust, and traffic obstructions. One participant remains available to residents along the route.
cited that these are not unique to tourism-
based activities but typically done for
agricultural activities (e.g. coordinating
with neighbors around road obstructions
during harvest, or when spraying fields
with herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides).
Similarly, outreach could be to both
residential and agricultural neighbors.
108 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY
