Salmon Arm council has opted to leave the city's noise bylaw as is, making no changes to accommodate earlier construction hours over the summer.
Since July 2024, the city has been exploring the prospect of amending the noise bylaw to so that construction could begin at 6 instead of 7 a.m. This work was prompted by a letter from a local contractor who asked council consider the change.
"It is very tough to work past 2-3 p.m. on our hot summer days, and starting at 6 a.m. without neighbours of our projects being upset because the noise bylaw is 7 a.m. would be very helpful," wrote the contractor.
After reporting back to council with requested options for summer construction hour restrictions, staff was directed to seek input from SCIP (Shuswap Construction Industry Professionals), which polled its membership on the bylaw change. SCIP's response was included in an update shared by planning and community services director Gary Buxton at the Jan. 27 council meeting. Of 56 responses, two SCIP members said no to an earlier start time, 40 said yes and five yes "but with conditions."
With this information, council then directed staff to initiate public engagement on a noise bylaw amendment that would allow construction to start earlier in the day between June 1 and Aug. 31.
This was done with a public survey shared on the city's website, the results of which Buxton shared at the April 28 council meeting. The city received 163 responses to the survey, with 50 supporting the changes and 113 opposed, he noted.
"What is the next step if any?" said Coun. Kevin Flynn. "I think a lot of the nays were related to other things like dust and other issues on the site, not necessarily an earlier start in the heat of the summer."
Coun. Sylvia Lindgren asked if there was a way to accommodate earlier construction starts in non-residential areas. Buxton said staff could "craft something of that nature." Alternatively, he noted the city can also issue an exemption to the noise bylaw.
Reflecting on the survey, Coun. Tim Lavery advised leaving the noise bylaw as is, "and if there’s a further request fully accompanied by support then I would be open to doing it but not at this stage." Mayor Alan Harrison agreed.
"I think council has tried hard to be creative to try to eliminate that afternoon working in the hot sun concern, especially with the way the climate is changing…, said Harrison. "We asked the community what they wished and they’ve told us quite strongly that they would like the bylaw to remain the way it is. For me right now I would say no action necessary."
