As the neighbors mentioned in the initial email, we now feel the need to respond. When we signed up for this email list, we thought it was to get updates on events and community news, so imagine our surprise when we check our email and find something written about us. And then having others weigh in about the situation (what we should have done...) without even getting the facts - there are always two sides to every dispute. We are relatively new to the neighborhood, and this exchange of emails is hardly the welcome we had hoped for or expected. Is this really a concern for the entire neighborhood? And is this the proper forum to discuss a dispute between two neighbors? When you choose to live in a city instead of the suburbs, and you choose to live in a house or apartment that is extremely close to the next house or apartment, you need to expect that there will be some noise - loud music, children playing, and yes, an air conditioner. We are trying to work through these issues with our neighbor, but opening it up to the email list hardly seems to help the process. Melinda and Roy -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us] On Behalf Of Michelle Belan Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 9:57 AM To: CKulk44@aol.com Cc: Neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Subject: Re: [Highland Park] Need help with two problems Hi, Claudette, Regarding the noise of the air conditioner, I believe this section applies as well: 912.05.B.5 Nuisances No equipment used in conjunction with a home occupation shall cause odor, vibration, noise, electrical interference or fluctuation in line voltage that is perceptible beyond the lot line of the lot upon which the home occupation is conducted. Home occupations shall comply with the Operational Performance Standards of Chapter 917. I'd call the city as well for information about the fence. I was under the impression that the setback for fences in the city was one foot from the property line anyway, meaning their fence shouldn't be on the property line, but one to 1.5 feet away from it. I am wondering about this myself because I have been thinking of removing a privet hedge on the property line between my neighbor and myself. I was told by an architect that if I remove the privet and replace it with a fence, I have to move the fence away from the property line in accordance with the setback towards my property since it will be a new structure. (The problem for me is that the privet doesn't keep my dogs in the yard, but I think we have a workaround solution.) But before I do anything, I need to be sure of the info and I will discuss it with my neighbor - both things your neighbor should have done before spending any money. Regardless of what your rights are, however, please consider using the Pittsburgh Mediation Center to help you smooth over the problems in a neighborly way. They are very good at resolving these kinds of things: 412.365.0400. Michelle Belan michelle@belancreative.com On Jun 2, 2006, at 9:03 PM, Sweeney, Dan wrote:

Hello, Claudette.

There may be hope. The city law I quote below can be found here: http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13525&sid=38

Here's how the code begins, ------------------------------------------- § 601.04 NOISE CONTROL. (a) Purpose: Excessive noise is a serious threat to the welfare, contentment, safety, health and the peace and quiet of the residents of the City. It is the intent of this Ordinance to establish requirements to prevent excessive noise that may jeopardize the health and welfare of its residents or degrade their quality of life.... ------------------------------------------- The section that pertains to your problem is in section (c)

------------------------------------------- (c) Restriction of noise between premises: (1) Unamplified noise. No person shall transmit or cause to be transmitted any unamplified noise, which leaves the premises from which it originates, and enters any premises in a residential zoning district in excess of the noise levels specified below in Table A. Table A

Maximum Allowable Noise

Levels at Receiving Premises

TABLE INSET:

Type of Receiving Premises Daytime: 7:00 a.m.--10:00 p.m. Nighttime: 10:00 p.m.--7:00 a.m. Residential 65 dB(A) 60 dB(A) --------------------------------------------

Finally, here is a discussion which gives examples of various decibel levels: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/eng99/ eng99325.htm

Good luck. At least your neighbors are willing to talk. Noise is a very real problem that raises stress levels and can weaken the body.

Dan

-----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us on behalf of CKulk44@aol.com Sent: Thu 6/1/2006 8:08 AM To: Neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Cc: Subject: [Highland Park] Need help with two problems

Hi,

I need help trying to resolve two problems with my relatively new neighbors:

1. My neighbors recently put up a fence. By my survey, it's on my property. By theirs, it's not. How does one get this resolved? Who decides which, if either, survey is "correct"? What is the correct procedure for getting this resolved? I've talked with the neighbors and they are co-operative, but we don't know what to do.

2. The same neighbor also installed a gigantic air conditioning unit in the front yard. I can live with the fact that this is an ugly addition to our block, but I can't live with the amount of noise it makes. I can no longer sit on my porch, which till now has been my morning haven, because the noise is so, so loud - it sounds like you are sitting on an aircraft carrier or in the engine of a 747. Are there any City regulations about this? Is there anything I can do? Is there a way of quieting this machine? I have not yet approached the neighbor about this problem. I wanted first to find out my rights and possible solutions. Does anybody know how to resolve this one?

I will be grateful for any help or suggestions on these. Thanks.

Claudette

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