MCCORDSVILLE — The McCordsville Town Council is moving forward with a revised noise ordinance after a controversy with a local business whose live music events have drawn dozens of noise complaints from neighboring residents.
The noise ordinance is an amendment to the existing law, not an entirely new one, said town attorney Gregg Morelock. It is modeled on similar ordinances elsewhere that are designed to make the area a more attractive place to live and work, he said.
The proposed ordinance sets maximum decibel levels allowed during certain times of the day, depending on whether the area in question is commercial or residential, according to the proposal. The decibel ranges would be measured from the property line, rather than at the source of the sound, which would tend to have a much higher sound level.
The maximum decibel level figures were determined through a scientific process conducted by a noise consultant and an ad-hoc committee formed to address the town’s noise complaint issue, said town manager Tonya Galbraith.
Noise in residential areas cannot exceed 55 decibels during the day, or 50 decibels at night. This is approximately the same sound level as a conversation between two individuals at home, according to a study done by Purdue University’s Chemistry Department.
In commercial and industrial areas, the sound level is not to exceed 66 decibels during the day, or 65 decibels at night. This is about the same sound level as a vacuum cleaner, according to the Purdue study.
“In the existing statute, there are already a few obvious exceptions written for things like mowing the lawn or using power tools,” Galbraith said. “The amended ordinance will not affect this.”
After reviewing and discussing the amendment, the council agreed that the additions to the existing noise ordinance served as a good compromise for business owners concerned that the current policy is too vague. The council unanimously voted to hold a second reading at next month’s meeting.
Daniel’s Vineyard, a popular local winery and event center, shuttered its doors to the public earlier this month, shifting their business model to focus more on private events, owner Daniel Cook said at the time. Pressure from the town council regarding the noise ordinance amendment forced them to make the difficult decision, Cook said.
But officials say the town council made every effort to accommodate to the business while balancing the needs of residents. The council held numerous public discussions to consider the voices of both those supporting Daniel’s and the residents annoyed by the music, some of whom live several miles away.
The Cooks said that the town’s current noise ordinance policy is unreasonable, referencing that the laws on the books are not specific enough in defining what qualifies as a noise violation.
In June, the council formed an ad hoc committee made up of citizens and town employees to work toward a compromise, officials said. Respecting the wishes of residents is crucial, but it is also important to support their growing business community too, they said.
After Cook’s decision to shutter the business’s doors to the public, the town council expressed confusion over how the proposed noise ordinance amendment would impact Daniel’s Vineyard ceasing its public events.
“There is no correlation between a noise ordinance and a tasting room or taphouse open to the public,” the town said in a statement. “One does not rely on the other to succeed.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Setting the volume” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The proposed ordinance sets maximum noise levels as measured in decibels from the property line, rather than at the source of the sound.
Noise in residential areas would not be able to exceed 55 decibels during the day, or 50 decibels at night. This is approximately the same sound level as a conversation between two individuals at home, according to a Purdue University study.
In commercial and industrial areas, the sound level would not be able to exceed 66 decibels during the day, or 65 decibels at night. This is about the same sound level as a vacuum cleaner, according to the Purdue study.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
