Fountain Blue Conditional Use Tent Permit Not Recommended by Zoning Board

The Des Plaines Zoning Board on March 12, 2013 with a vote of 4-2 decided not to recommend an extension of the Fountain Blue’s application for their Conditional
Use Permit for their tent at 2300 Mannheim Road, Des Plaines. Their
recommendation goes to the city council for a vote.

The environmental noise pollution generated from the tent by the DJ, banquet music and the crowd has disturbed the peace of local neighbors for the last two years. For the neighbors, this marks an an inital victory but there is still more work to be done in preparation for the City Council meeting. As neighbors, our goals are very simple--have peace and quiet and protect our property values.

The neighbors were well prepared and organized. Extensive research was done reviewing the Fountain Blue application,the City’s memorandum, and data from acoustical consultants. One such consultant indicated the sudden burst of laughter, applause, chanting, singing, whistling, yelling, etc. all cause disturbance of the peace for neighbors who live as close as 400 feet from the tent.

The neighbors are determined to return their backyards and homes to the peace they enjoyed before the tent was erected. In discussions with one of the consultant he said, “You have two options, change what is coming out of a tent or put it in a building.” He went on to say,  that he has not found any example
of where an event outdoor like this has been successful in keeping the sound
down in residential areas—NONE.

Fountain Blue came to the Zoning Board meeting proposing a fourteen  foot wall running outside the tent on the north and west side. Further studies by acoustic consultants indicate it will only reduce the sound by half and not fully address the burst of noise throughout a typical banquet. What was being proposed to the Zoning Board was merely chipping away at the problem and not fully addressing the realities that you simply cannot expect sound to be contained in a tent.

The City has the responsibility and moral obligation to protect its tax paying citizens.  How the City continues to handle this well publicized issue with the Fountain Blue noise pollution is extremely critical for it will set precedence in dealing with future noise pollution issues throughout the City of Des Plaines.

As more information is available and a date is set for the City Council meeting that will be posted.