An updated noise ordinance was approved in Plain City to the dismay of several residents who have insisted the permitted noise levels are too loud.
Council voted 5-0 Monday to approve an ordinance that shifts noise restrictions from the “reasonable person standard” to concrete decibel levels. Council member Tyler Harriman was absent.
While a number of residents advocated for such a change in the past, several spoke strongly against the specific decibel levels council approved.
In residential districts, sounds above 60 decibels are not permitted at any time. In mixed use districts, the level increases to 70 dB from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 75 dB from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Permitted noise levels in the business district remain at 70 dB during the nighttime hours and bump to 90 dB from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Resident Steve Syfert, who has repeatedly shared concerns surrounding the noise ordinance with council, said he took particular issue with “the ridiculous level of 90 decibels.”
Syfert said he and Andy Litt organized a demonstration in an effort to show council how the proposed decibel levels sound in reality.
They said they borrowed a decibel meter from Plain City Police Chief Dale McKee and set up speakers outside of the municipal building during council’s work session on March 6.
Syfert said he feels anything over 75 decibels is “disruptive and disrespectful,” as displayed by music played in the parking lot of the municipal building being audible during the work session.
He said council members were invited to attend the demonstration and he feels those that did not or said they were unable to attend “should be ashamed.”
Although Litt said Mayor Jody Carney did attend the demonstration, he said he was disappointed that it was not brought up in discussion during the work session.
“Is it just being cowards?” Litt asked, also asking if “corruption” was involved.
Carney, however, took responsibility for others who were unable to attend the demonstration, which Syfert said started at 6:15 p.m., 15 minutes prior to the beginning of work session.
She said, in the future, she will organize with village staff events that require council members’ attendance so that invitations are clear and formalized.
Still, Litt said he feels discussions around the noise ordinance are lacking opposing viewpoints.
“We miss (former council members) Frank Reed and Mr. (John) Rucker because they cared,” Litt said.
Litt also said he feels the noise ordinance is too accommodating to businesses.
“It’s exactly what the Grainery wants,” he said.
Syfert agreed.
“Anyone with common sense can see that you’re more interested in protecting businesses instead of the residents you claim to serve,” Syfert said.
While Carney said she understands their frustration, the mayor said the decibel levels proposed were not arbitrary. She said the numbers were based on noise ordinances in place in other municipalities along with research done by council members who used meters throughout town.
She said council is willing to reevaluate the noise ordinance if issues arise in the future, but it must be enacted and tested first.
“We have to start somewhere,” Carney said.