McCORDSVILLE — Construction work could go until 10 p.m. in some parts of McCordsville under a proposed change to local rules.
Members of the McCordsville Town Council recently discussed changes to the local noise ordinance that would allow interior work on commercial and industrial construction projects to go from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. — an increase of four hours over current standards, which currently cut off work at 6 p.m.
The proposed change would also allow construction within those hours on Sundays — currently prohibited.
The existing ordinance allows construction to go from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Members of the town council are expected to review and make a decision on the changes at the council’s next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. June 7 at McCordsville Town Hall, 6290 W. County Road 800N.
The changes are intended to simplify the building process for developers in the area, said Ryan Crum, building and planning director for the town.
When developers pour concrete, Crum cited as an example, they try to do all the work in one day to limit the number of seams in the building’s foundation. Current codes restrict that possibility, he said.
Barry Wood, a member of the town council, said he’s divided on the issue. While the proposed changes apply only to interior work, sounds — particularly idling vehicles at construction sites — will carry outside, he said.
“We’re trying to juggle two sides here to make sure our residents are content … but at the same time, we understand that we need development, and we have to provide a way for that to be done,” Wood said.
Wood cited the construction of McCordsville’s branch of the Hancock Wellness Center as an example. The wellness center, which celebrated its grand opening in February, opened months later than developers initially targeted after rainy weather delayed construction; the local regulations restricted the builders’ ability to make up lost time, Wood said.
Until recently, the town has had little interest from large-scale commercial development, but the area is now the fastest-growing town in the county and should be prepared to accommodate developers’ needs, Wood said.
U.S. census data from 2010 lists McCordsville’s population at about 4,800, and town officials estimate the area has gained more than 2,000 residents in recent years. That number is expected to continue climbing over the next decade.
Council member Max Meise said he doesn’t expect the changes to cause a disruption for neighboring property owners because they apply only to interior work.
