The Winter Park Town Council heard a proposal to amend the enforcement of noise violation code and accepted three grants aimed at sustainability and climate action at a meeting on Tuesday, April 15.

The proposed amendment seeks to clarify noise regulations for short-term housing units in Winter Park by refining the definition of “unreasonable noise” to be noise audible at a distance of 50 feet, distinguishable from any other source of sound in the vicinity, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

It also revokes the chance for a warning on the first violation, instead imposing a $500 fine on the first offense and $1,000 on the second offense. Council will make its final decision and hear public comment on the amendment at the next meeting on April 29.

The council also approved three federal grants totaling $425,000 to fund sustainability and climate action projects in Winter Park. The first grant from the Department of Local Affairs will support the town’s sustainability planning efforts, including risk assessment and emissions reductions modeling.

The second grant from the same agency provides partial funding for a solar array and battery storage at the Winter Park Public Works facility. The project would save the town about $113,000 in electricity and 111 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, according to Winter Park Sustainable Community Coordinator Mia Dorris.

Finally, the council approved a grant from the Colorado Energy Office to conduct a feasibility study for a thermal energy network in downtown Winter Park. Thermal energy networks provide heating and cooling through a shared web of water pipes that transfer heat. This project will require digging a test bore — a large, deep hole to study soil — near Cooper Creek Square, likely this summer.

For more information about the town code amendment or the climate action projects, access the full meeting agenda and minutes visit WPGov.com.