TODAY'S QUESTION: Should the downtown noise ordinance have been changed?

The City Council voted to approve the changes to the existing noise ordinance at its meeting Monday night.

Before Monday's meeting, the Special Business District met with residents and sent out surveys about noise levels in the downtown area. Most residents acknowledged that noise is a part of downtown; however, residents seemed to have a problem with people being loud while standing on streets and sidewalks. 

According to a previous Missourian  article, the new changes loosen restrictions in a couple of ways:

• On weekdays, noise will be prohibited from extending beyond 300 feet from the source from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 150 feet from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and 50 feet from 1:30 to 7 a.m.
• On weekends, noise will be prohibited from extending beyond 300 feet from the source from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 150 feet from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and 50 feet from 1:30 to 7 a.m.

The previous noise ordinance restricted noise heard from 100 feet away during the day and 50 feet away at night.

Do you think the new provisions will be effective or was the old ordinance better suited for noise downtown? Should there even be a downtown noise ordinance?