Dear Menlo Park City Council,

      In Menlo Park, construction activities are allowed to be done from the
hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., as set forth in the Noise Ordinance of the
City of Menlo Park, specifically under Ordinance 8.06.040, Construction
Activities.

      "Construction activities" means the grading, demolition, alteration,
repair or remodeling of existing structures and construction of new
structures including the use of power equipment in connection with
activities. "Construction activities" does not include radios or other forms
of amplified music on a construction site. This ordinance is set by the City
Council of Menlo Park.

     Why does the City Council feel that Menlo Park residents need to listen
to construction noise from 8:00am to 6:00pm? That is 10 hours a day! Why
not 8:00 to 5:00? Which is 9 hours per day and still a lot of time
listening to construction noise. At least 8:00 to 5:00 are normal business
hours. Palo Alto and Atherton allow construction noise from 8:00 to 5:00
only.

      I would like to request that the City Council re-consider this
ordinance. Please reduce the amount of time neighbors have to listen daily
to construction noise. 8:00am to 6:00pm means neighbors are listening to
construction noise for 10 hours per day. If you have had a neighbor remodel
or tear a house down, you are likely listening to construction noise 10
hours a day for 6 months to a year or more.

Thank you,
Gail Farwell
1240 Arbor Road
Menlo Park
Received on Tue Apr 24 20:28:13 2007