Palm Springs Surf Club set to make some changes to help lower noise levels
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Palm Springs Surf Club management agreed to look into ways to mitigate noise levels at the park after meeting with the Palm Springs Planning Commission Tuesday night.
The park opened in January 2024, but several mechanical issues delayed the official opening. The park is now fully operational conducting daily business.
According to a staff report posted on the city's website, the Surf Club is supposed to give an update to the Planning Commission within six months of it's opening as part of the park's approval process.
The main topic of discussion was the noise generated at the park from events and the equipment.
According to Palm Springs Code Enforcement, there have been a total of 66 complaints from neighboring communities over a 3-year period. Most of the entries relate to the noise generated by the wave making machines, music, and the gathering of attendees at the park.
The park has been cited 6 times and the staff report states all fines have been paid in full.
News Channel 3 spoke with the Palm Springs Surf Club Director of Surf Operations Chance Gaul after the meeting about the changes they plan to make.
Gaul says, "So we're going to look inside the machine rooms. We're going to look outside the machine rooms, and then the simple fix for the amplified bass is turn the bass down and we'll work on that. I know that we will be implementing a living wall. And, you know, we just want to reiterate how ready we are to work with the community and make sure that they're comfortable in their own home."
The Palm Springs Surf Club notes there are multiple precautions currently in place to mitigate the sound issue like improved infrastructure and sound dampening blankets in the equipment room, a "live wall" of foliage on the south property, and installation of sound absorbent plaster on existing structures.
Surf Club officials have noted that at the Palm Springs Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night, code enforcement noted that the noises coming from the wave machines are indistinguishable from other ambient noise in the community.
The park has already adjusted their hours so they are not open as late.
New suggestions were presented at Tuesday night's meeting that will be explored in depth in the upcoming weeks.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more information.
