David Dolquist, the Lodge at Sonoma’s new general manager, recently pledged to do his best to resolve noise complaints from neighbors that have dogged the luxury hotel since its opening in 2002.
“If you give me a chance to be effective on this, I believe I can make some headway. If not, we can reconvene and talk again,” Dolquist told the Sonoma City Council at its Nov. 15 meeting.
The city, the Lodge, and its neighbors have been in continual negotiations about how to best mitigate the noise impacts the 24-hour business generates.
Currently, most objections center around the loading dock. Here, bottles are discarded, power washers are used to clean equipment and refrigeration trucks are unloaded. The hotel is planning a partial enclosure that it hopes will help reduce noise.
Additionally, neighbors have complained of late-night music, employee vehicles clogging the streets, and illegal U-turns at Bragg and Clay streets.
What is different this year is the city has updated its noise ordinance. When noise levels become a concern, there is now language that details specific noise parameters that are acceptable based on time of day and activity. Sonoma police have also been equipped with decibel meters to measure noise when responding to complaints.
Before the ordinance was updated, the city commissioned an acoustical consultant to conduct a noise analysis.
• Roof-top fans: Although the Lodge was in compliance, it installed acoustical screening around the fans and replaced a motor, reportedly reducing the noise greatly.
• Roof-top chimney cleaning: The Lodge prefers to conduct this activity at night. The noise ordinance specifies appropriate noise levels at night, and the city will be monitoring the next cleaning to assess compliance.
• Garbage dumpsters and recycling bins: The Lodge agreed to relocate these bins to an interior area and not use them late in the evening.
• Patio area: Amplified music in this area was disturbing residents in the evening. The Lodge agreed to stop playing music at this location.
• U-Turns: Although a “No U-turn” sign is posted, neighbors say delivery trucks continue to ignore it. The police will review the sign to assess that it can be enforced as well as work with the city engineer in determining if any other physical alterations can be made. The Lodge has now posted an employee at this area to orchestrate the arrival and departure of trucks.
• Employee parking on Clay Street: Although the city staff did not find the Lodge in violation of its use permit, Dolquist reiterated he will be reviewing appropriate parking locations with employees.
• Odor from Wood Burning Oven: The Lodge has contacted Bell Labs to come out and assess the possibility of installing additional ventilation or filtration systems.
• Unloading of Refrigeration Trucks: The manager of the Lodge has been personally timing the trucks to evaluate the amount of time needed for a truck to unload at the dock area.
In March 2007, there will be a follow-up report after the noise reduction measures have been completed.
Councilmember Larry Barnett stated: “I believe it is valuable to let the process move forward. The attitude of everyone is positive. I appreciate the efforts of the Lodge and the patience of the citizens. If the partial enclosure doesn’t fix the dock problem, we can readdress the issue.”
Brown said, “I’m an optimist. Dolquist is bringing some real consideration to this issue and I’m please with what I’ve heard.”
