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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 22, 2003 Randy Banta, left, and Bruce Bennett hope to continue pursuing their model plane hobby in the Princess Way neighborhood. However, some neighbors say the planes are too noisy and should be banned within city limits. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Plane noise creates buzz Models flying over a Central Point street fuel ordinance debate By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT � City Council members are considering whether to restrict or ban flying model aircraft within city limits following a neighborhood debate on Princess Way. Neighbors say the noise generated by the radio-controlled planes, operated by Princess Way resident Randy Banta and friend Bruce Bennett, is excessive for a residential street. "I can’t even talk to my wife when it’s flying around," neighbor Gordon Wood said at a recent council meeting. "Yes, it’s a great sport, but the noise factor is the main thing. After a hard day at work, it’s very annoying." Wood and 10 others have signed a petition asking the council to ban flying battery- or gas-operated model aircraft within city limits, citing noise and safety concerns."Randy’s a great person and we are not trying to make anyone not have fun, but there’s a time and place for everything," Wood said. Advertisement But Banta said that flying his plane is no different — and was even quieter — than other neighborhood noises such as dogs barking, weed-eaters whirring and kids playing musical instruments. City Administrator Phil Messina told council members the city has received numerous complaints that Banta and Bennett have been flying the planes at inappropriate hours, for too long and at too low an altitude. Messina said the city municipal code does not specifically address noise generated by hobby aircraft. Banta said he and Bennett, both of whom have 26 years’ experience flying model planes, do not fly before 9 a.m. or after dark as a courtesy. He said making a law to ban the planes would apply to a "ridiculously small number of people." "It’s just so silly. It’s like they’re making a law just for me," Banta said. "I have so many people on my particular block that are in support of me. "If you tell me I can’t fly my model airplane from the street, what’s the next step? Pretty soon people are going to lose all their rights." Of a half dozen local cities surveyed, none had specific policies relating to model aircraft. City officials in Jacksonville and Ashland said the aircraft would fall under existing noise and nuisance ordinances. Medford officials said such aircraft are not addressed in existing regulations. Central Point City Council member Mike Quilty said flying model airplanes was less a nuisance than a number of typical neighborhood noises. "This is a recognized recreational activity and I think we need to make someplace where it is allowed," Quilty said. "And the particular aircraft they’re talking about makes less noise than my electric weed-eater." Councilman Nate Banry said though the sport should not be banned, it should be restricted to certain times and places to avoid infringing on other homeowners’ rights. Councilwoman Donna Higginbotham said the planes should be banned inside city limits. "Well, there’s a lot of countryside out there," she said, adding that model aircraft enthusiasts should find open places to pursue their hobby. The council is expected to take up the issue again at its Aug. 14 meeting. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times