By BRIGHTMAN BROCK
News Chief

BARTOW --ÊPolk County commissioners Tuesday will hold a public hearing concerning proposed restrictions on commercially-generated noise.

The 1:30 p.m. hearing will allow public comment on a proposal to restrict commercial noises from disturbing adjacent, neighborhood residents.

The proposed noise ordinance amendment was discussed in Friday's 8:30 a.m. commission workshop, where commissioners set an agenda for their Tuesday general session.

It would remove a current exemption for noise emitted from commercially zoned areas in Polk.

There have been a number of complaints about this issue in the past, County Manager Jim Keene said Friday.

Many residential owners feel that business operators should not have the ability to make industrial noise that adversely affects the quality of their lives, he said. "This just makes good sense," Keene said.

The proposed amendment would allow Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies or county code enforcement officers responding to noise complaints and verbally notice the owner of the property involved.

After a notice is documented, the party responsible could be penalized upon re-arrival of officers on the property, due to a subsequent complaint.

County Commissioner Bruce Parker said that, in most cases, businesses can modify their noise production with only minor changes.

The call for public comment comes in the wake of last month's commission decision to restrict bothersome noises from residences.

The county's noise ordinance proposal was amended to include prohibitions against excessively barking dogs. Automobile and residential boom boxes as well as residential air condition units were included in general prohibitions.

That action, ratified Oct. 20, also included prohibitions against excessively loud music from private, residential parties.

Also Tuesday, commissioners will consider an amendment to the Polk County fire code.

The proposed amendment would add the city of Eagle Lake under the code's authority.

If approved, it would provide for Eagle Lake to be inspected with more stringent procedures under the Polk fire code.