HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/5/2011 - STAFF REPORTS - 00Jennifer Nelson
From:
Chip Wallace bwallace5@dc.rr.com]
Sent:
Wednesday, October 05, 2011 3:44 PM
To:
Jennifer Nelson
Subject:
10-05-11:City Council -Public Speakers -Wallace
Good Evening City Government,
My name is James Wallace. I am a Palm Springs home owner, tax Payer and voter. I live on Hermosa
Drive, off of Racquet Club. I have been a Palm Springs homeowner since August 2010.
Within days of taking possession of my home, I Let hearing an incredibly loud and intrusive noise. After a
week of investigation, I
found to 6e coming from my neighbors pool vacuum cleaning system.
(Amazingly, the system never ran when my KEALTOK & I were looking at the property.) The vacuum
system is called a Kreepy Krawly, with a'K.' It remains available at most pool supply retailers, although
some have ceased selling it due to the noise issue (as per the owner of Palm Springs Pool Emporium).
When running, it sounds like a military helicopter flying overhead and it can getjust as loud. Given that I live
in the airport &
hospital's flight pattern's, I originally thought it was a chopper.
My investigation(s) revealed that the low frequency sound travels through the ground, exactly like that of
earthquakes. In my home it is ridiculously loud!
I filed an on-line complaint with the City of Palm Springs Code Compliance -Department of F)uilding and
Safety. Code Compliance Officer Carol Wehrle has seen the neigh6or's the Kreepy Krawly running
and has heard the noise it makes in my home. To this day she remains amazed at how loud and annoying it
can 6e. She has said she wouldn't live next to such a noise and doubts any City Council members would
either. Ms. Wehrle also informed me the Municipal Codes have not been updated since they were first
written, approved and adopted, which was in 1982. This means The Codes are nearing 30-year5 old.
I researched the Municipal City Codes Ms. Wehrle spoke of and I learned the codes were not only
chronologically archaic, they were technically outdated as well. They do not include provision(s) for any
noise levels generated 6y.today's technology, i.e., The Kreepy Krawly. This is especially painful for
myself as I am permanently Jisa6leJ now and have to spend a majority of my time at home. Thus, I have yet
to enjoy my home.
Palm Springs' we6site touts a noise compliant hotline for barking dogs and all-night parties. It also speaks
t �o�a�Cj%Poi /
to over -anxious construction
workers and landscapers. All steps in the right direction, however,
the 30-year-old Municipal Code remains antiquated. Technology has changed and The Palm jpringes
Municipal Code has not.
Lastly, my former work cronies, at KN15C News in bur6ank, contact me from time to time and ask how
find Palm Springs. After I tell them about my experience(s), most seem to look elsewbere,1zancho Mirage
or Palm Desert, when they research their retirements ... taking their money with them.
Code Compliance Officer Carol WArle and Executive Assistant Jennifer Nelson have my contact
information.
Thank you for your time.
James Wallace