Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 26, 1993 TAG: 9301260084
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PARTY-CONTROL LAW AGAIN TONIGHT
For the fourth time in eight months, Blacksburg Town Council tonight will consider a proposed ordinance designed to help control the massive block parties that have plagued the university town.The latest ordinance has been rewritten to focus more on the town's controversial parties and less on common social events such as family reunions and wedding receptions.
It combines the town's current noise ordinance with a less stringent version of the previously considered party proposal.
Mayor Roger Hedgepeth said the new proposal is considerably better, but council may want to make some minor changes before voting on it.
Hedgepeth said he feels certain that some type of legislation will be adopted before spring.
"We have to send a message that these large mass gatherings cannot be tolerated," he said.
Town Council proposed the party ordinance in the wake of three spring parties last June that resulted in 164 arrests - almost half for underage drinking.
After three public hearings on the proposed ordinance, a community task force headed by Tom Goodale, vice president of student affairs at Virginia Tech, was appointed to study the problems. Goodale said he's pleased that the newly drafted proposal includes several recommendations from the task force.
"I personally feel very good about it," he said.
Here are the main features of the proposed ordinance:
Only parties with 500 people would be affected.
The ordinance would be enforced only at parties where sound-amplifying equipment is used. Other events, regardless of size, would be unregulated.
Use of amplified sound may extend to 10 p.m. The current cut-off is 5:30 p.m.
There would be a 30-day application period for a permit to use amplifying equipment for parties.
A parking plan or alternate transportation arrangements must be presented with the application.
Violation of the ordinance will be punishable by up to a $500 fine.
It also includes the formation of a citizens advisory council - with six student members and five citizens from the town - to help plan and control parties affected by the new law.
As previously written, the controversial proposal would have required sponsors of parties with 100 or more people to register with the town seven days before the party, provide parking and one portable toilet per 50 people, clean up within 24 hours and post a security deposit of $100.