Kenton | Piedmont | Portsmouth |

All of North Portland

Neighbors!

Make Your Voice Heard on PIR Noise!

WHAT | On July 30th the City of Portland Noise Review Board is conducting a listening session on how noise from Portland International Raceway (PIR) affects those living in surrounding neighborhoods. Specifically the Board is reviewing PIR regulations under the City Noise Title 18 - which has not been updated in >30 years. Neighbor testimony is being accepted by email before that meeting. 

Submit your experience and opinions now to have your views entered as public testimony on this topic. 

HOW | Email noise@portlandoregon.gov with the subject: PIR Title 18 Testimony

Use the example email below or submit your own including: 

  • Your perception of noise from PIR during both normal and variance events

  • Your experience of how noise from PIR impacts your life - for example: health, sleep, use of your outdoor space, children, focus

  • Your recommendations for changes to Title 18 for PIR - specific examples are below

WHEN | Before July 30, 2024

Background

Template email

Template email

Use as is or personalize with your own impact statement!

Email noise@portlandoregon.gov with the subject: PIR Title 18 Testimony

Dear Portland Noise Board,

I am a resident of [insert neighborhood] writing with concerns about noise at PIR. Specifically, I am aware of persistent and disruptive noise from PIR during both normal and variance operations on >4 days per week and for at least 8 months out of the year. The noise affects my enjoyment of my living space and the neighborhood community spaces. Exposure to loud noise is a recognized health issue and can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep disturbances, and stress. 

For increased livability and to reduce negative health impacts, it is time to update city code on regulation of noise from PIR.

I am suggesting the following changes to Title 18 with respect to PIR:

  1. Regulate PIR noise based on zoning as an open space not an industrial site

  2. Make regulations for PIR consistent with other noise producers and require PIR to measure noise levels at the receiver (eg, multiple locations 1 mile from PIR) not at the source

  3. Adopt Resolution 34626 as part of Title 18 to ensure that rules regarding variances are followed

Sincerely,

[First name & last initial]

Notes on PIR

PIR Noise Notes

  • You can always report comments about noise at PIR to noise@portlandoregon.gov - it is important to continuously log comments about this issue with the city

  • It is documented that the decible levels reported in residential neighborhoods exceed the levels described on PIR website - the levels reported on the website were estimated based on track-side noise levels, not measured in the neighborhood. There have been other studies that show that neighborhood noise levels are higher than those projections. More information is in this article. It is also documented in the 2008 Greenbusch Study, available here.

  • PIR is a city park operated by the City of Portland. For noise level regulation, PIR is zoned as an industrial area . Other city parks are zoned as open spaces - an update to Title 18 that requires PIR noise levels to be zoned as open space is important

Information

Get more information on the impact of noise exposure on human and environmental health