Saint-Lambert wins latest round in concert noise legal battle with Montreal

A ruling from the Quebec Court of Appeal Thursday means the legal battle between the City of Saint-Lambert and the Cityof Montreal over concert noise will continue.

For years, Saint-Lambert has maintained that noise from summer music festivals at Parc Jean-Drapeau, includingOsheaga and Heavy MTL, has created undue hardships for people in the South Shore town.

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Residents have complained the noise rattles windows, shakes houses and disrupts peaceful summer evenings.

Noise levels of108 decibels (dB)have been recorded at the concert site and a level of 68 dB was recorded at one residence inSaint-Lambert.

The City of Montreal and concert promoter Evenko have maintained the noise is reasonable.

The two sides have been trading legal maneouvres over the last few years.

Battle over permanent injunction request

Saint-Lambert's latest gambit has been to request a permanent injunction that would forceMontreal and Evenko to restrictthe noise levelto 95 dB at Parc Jean-Drapeauand ensure it does not surpass 60 dB in residential areas of Saint-Lambert.

The World Health Organization considers noise above 55 dB to be "disturbing tosleep."

In January a Superior Court judge ruled Saint-Lambert could proceed with that request.

The City of Montreal and Evenko appealed that decision, butthat appeal was denied on Thursday.

Despite the victory, the City ofSaint-Lambert hasa long legal battle ahead the request for a permanent injunction likely won't be heard before the fall.

Negotiated solution?

Saint-Lambert MayorAlainDpatiesaidhe hopes another noisy summer can beavoided by anegotiated solution with the City of Montreal and Evenko.

He said a meeting withEvenkois planned for April 22 and Dpatie wantsCity of Montreal officials to join the talks.

"I hope now that we won this thing Montreal is going to come to the table and discuss withus," hesaid.

"The ball is in their [court], and they can call us. I'm always open," he said.