The Cleveland City Council held a second public hearing Monday night on amendments to the city’s noise ordinance. The city’s Economic Development and Planning Director Tom O’Bryant said they began looking at the current ordinance following growing complaints from residents. He said the current ordinance is vague and broad.
Primarily the update concentrates on the sound decibels and how to measure them. The ordinance sets separate standards for residential, commercial, and industrial areas within the city.
Most if not all the complaints the city has received have come from residents of Pine Hill Drive, who live adjacent to White County Molding, a division of Atlanta Hardwoods, Inc., located at 176 Appalachian Trail. There were some of those resident who made comments during the public hearing.
Kimberly Hale who represents the company said since the company has been in operation they have been following the city’s 85 decibels sound level for noise the new regulations would require them to meet a residential level of 60 decibels.
Also, Jim Howard, Owner of Atlanta Hardwoods was present at the hearing and spoke to the council telling them it would be difficult for them to meet the 60 decibel levels proposed in the new ordinance. He also said they are working on a joint venture with a finish company that would bring a 6- 8 million dollar investment to the Cleveland location along with more jobs. He said they could put that at their Tennessee location and it would be a “tremendous loss” if it gets moved.
Howard told the council, “We know this ordnance was written with us in mind but I think you’re going to find other places like Ingles loading their trucks at night and other things is going to be a problem for you at the decibel levels.”
Even though the council did not take any action on the proposed update Council Member CJ McDonald, who lives in the Pine Hill Drive area said he was not sure where the 60 decibel limit came from he was thinking 65 nighttime and 70 daytime decibel levels for the new regulations.
