Noise pollution complaints prompt city meeting

City wants to modernize noise bylaws without deterring development

Image | Toronto construction noise

Caption: Construction noise is among the top causes of noise pollution in Toronto, city officials say. (Aaron Harris/Reuters)

Is Toronto too noisy? That's the question a public meeting organized by the city is tackling at a series of public meetings.
The city organized the public meetings about noise pollution after a survey found 82.5 per cent of Torontonians are upset with how loud their neighbourhood has become and 54.4 per cent of those people have filed a noise complaint at some point.
Among the biggest offenders: construction noise, amplified sound from concerts and traffic noise, particularly from delivery trucks and motorcycles.
"We've had an increase of over 300 per cent in complaints on noise complaints, over 700 per cent increase on complaints related to construction," said Carlton Grant, of the city's municipal standards department.
After CBC Toronto reached out to people across the city to share their noise woes, several posted various complaints.
In Parkdale, Petrina Andonova said low flying helicopters as well as partygoers are the worst offenders.
Jeremy Lootsma, who lives in Etobicoke, said his neighbourhood has a big difficulty with dirt bike riders who illegally rip along the nearby Etobicoke Creek trails.
In Mimico, there were complaints about big trucks operating outside of the 7 a.m.-7 p.m. window. While at Front-Spadina, loud motorcycles were an issue.
Grant said the city needs to "modernize" its bylaws covering noise, but said it has to find the right balance. The city wants deliveries and development to happen, he said, but also wants people to "enjoy their space."