Sometimes the best thing you can do is keep things simple. We’re starting to feel like that might just be the most reasonable way to move forward when it comes to Fountain Hills’ noise regulations.

The problem seems to be that, when it comes to noise, whether or not something is too loud is in the eye – or ear, rather – of the beholder.

While we appreciate all of the parties coming together to offer their own takes, studies, data, explanations, diagrams and the like during this past year of hammering out the noise ordinance details, it looks like we might be going about this the wrong way.

To an average citizen, it won’t matter what a decibel meter says, if they feel something is loud enough to warrant contacting the authorities, that’s basically the end of the argument in their mind. The question then becomes, “what is reasonable?”

The answer is currently left to the responding deputy to determine whereas, if hard numbers are utilized, their read on the situation is completely taken out of the equation. We won’t be making things any easier on law enforcement if they have zero discretion in these situations and they have to pull out a flow chart to determine what decibel level is okay and during what time of day and what day of the week.

We appreciate that a lot of hard work has gone into figuring out what might be best for Fountain Hills when it comes to noise levels, and we appreciate that the Town Council wants to protect all parties involved. The problem here is that there seems to be zero chance of making everyone happy. If we’re not going to use the systems and regulations already in place, we hope that staff can soon find some ground as close to “common” as we’re going to get.