The Grainery, 138 W. Main Street, has been at the center of discussion surrounding the current noise ordinance in Plain City. While some residents said they feel increased noise is a fair trade for the revitalization of the Uptown district, others disagree. Council plans to hold a special work session to discuss only the noise ordinance in late October or November. (Photo submitted)
With nearly every seat in council chambers filled, Plain City Council decided to “pump the brakes a little bit” on changes to the village’s noise ordinance.
Mayor Jody Carney told residents that a resident committee would not be formed to review the ordinance, although council initially agreed to create one during the Sept. 13 meeting.
“I feel if we put it to a committee, it’s not going to a be a win-win,” Carney said, adding that council is “elected to make the tough decisions.”
Still, a number of residents shared their opinions surrounding the noise levels Uptown.
Resident Roberta Scott said she feels as though an increase in sound levels are worth the development happening in the Uptown district.
While live music at The Grainery has been at the center of many recent sound-related complaints, Scott said she believes “the positives outweigh the negatives.”
She said the restaurant provides a space for the community to gather and enlivens the area.
Scott also noted that, though The Grainery does produce noise, she feels the volume in residential areas is also because most homes are older and do not block sound well. For that reason, she chalked the noise levels up to being the typical “sounds of summer.”
“The Grainery meets everything that we’ve asked them to,” she said.
Resident Tyler Lane agreed.
He said improvements in the Uptown district should be valued, even if they make the area noisier.
“I don’t know the answer to the sound, but whatever this town is doing… is starting to be right,” he said.
Lane said the Uptown district is now drawing out-of-town folks to Plain City, adding, “we are finally a happening town.”
Resident Andy Leer said he feels recent revitalization, specifically that done by Tim Dawson, is “a godsend.”
But, as the father of a five-year-old daughter, he said he feels the music is too loud.
Leer said he does not necessarily feel that the ordinance needs to be revised, but there needs to be a stronger adherence to the code.
Dawson, who owns The Grainery and several other Uptown businesses and properties, said he adheres to the current ordinances and tries to appease neighbors.
He noted that he has contacted several acoustic companies in an attempt to purchase equipment to absorb some of the sound from the outdoor stage area.
Dawson said the only company he could identify that offers outdoor equipment requires a sound study is conducted prior to providing a quote. He said specialists will be observing The Grainery over the next four to six weeks.
From that point, he said he will evaluate what options are financially viable.
“I’m not just going to throw money at a problem” without assuring it will be solved, Dawson said.
In the meantime, he said he feels more noise is simply a cost of growth.
“Increased decibel levels are the nature of becoming a city, the nature of growing,” he said.
If decibel levels are incorporated into the noise ordinance, as has been proposed in recent meetings, Dawson advised council to be aware that there are many other things that generate noise.
Council member Frank Reed has previously advocated against adding decibels to the code, instead leaving the language stating noise must be “plainly audible.” He said Monday he believes residents want the decibel level to be zero.
Fellow Council member Sherry Heineman told Reed that would mean asking neighbors not to mow their lawns, or even talk outdoors.
“That’s completely unrealistic, Frank Reed,” Lane said from the audience.
Though Plain City Police Department Chief Dale McKee has previously said the subjectivity in the ordinance makes it difficult to enforce, he said Monday that most sound-related issues are resolved without any citation.
He estimated that the police department has received eight complaints regarding noise at The Grainery, with “the majority” from “the same people.”
Still, he said complainants generally do not want to press charges and only ask that the sound be turned down. When officers ask the business to lower the volume, employees usually comply, McKee said.
Council member Shannon Pine said she feels council should wait to move forward until the sound study contracted by Dawson is completed. Using data from it and decibel meter readings collected by PCPD, she said council could then address potential changes to the ordinance.
Council President John Rucker also suggested holding a special work session specifically regarding the noise ordinance. He said all residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinions and they will be taken into consideration.
Carney said she understands that noise in the village is a hot topic, but “we have to be patient because we don’t want to take this lightly.”
She said the work session will take place after the data Pine mentioned is available, likely in late October or early November.