LG Council Discusses Noise Ordinance

La Grange City Council heard a proposal to change the City’s noise ordinance at a meeting Monday night, June 27.

The current ordinance sets the maximum sound level within the city at 85 decibels (dB) at all times. City Manager Shawn Raborn proposed lowering the maximum level to 75 dB from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. At all other times, the maximum sound level would be no more than 60 dB.

La Grange resident Jeremy Pietsch recommended strengthening the ordinance. Pietsch lives near a local establishment that occasionally hosts live music.

“Though citizens routinely display respect and courtesy to others, we cannot always rely on them to self-regulate on this issue,” Pietsch told the Council. “So to be effective, the noise ordinance must protect those who are unwilling to sacrifice their quality of living for the business or person or persons emitting unreasonable or inappropriate sound.

“It’s not just about happiness, it’s about health,” Pietsch said as he pointed at his two young children who came with him and his wife to the meeting.

Raborn said the City does not wish to discourage live music. However, he said the City’s current maximum level of 85 dB was higher than most other cities.

“This is a first step,” he said.

Raborn said the City has received 53 noise complaints in the last six months, and only one of those complaints was related to a business. He said the City has worked with businesses to achieve voluntary compliance in most cases.

Councilman Dusty Littrell asked if football games at the high school would violate the noise ordinance. Raborn said certain public events such as football games are excluded.

Councilman John “Honza” Cernosek asked Raborn if he could demonstrate the difference between 60, 75 and 85 decibels. Raborn said he would bring some audio equipment to a future meeting to conduct such an exercise.

Others in the audience Monday night were more concerned about noise from cars and private residences. La Grange resident Dr. Michael Mabry complained to the Council about vehicles with loud sound systems.

“How many decibels does it take to shake a plate glass window from 50 yards away?” Mabry asked the Council.

“It’s probably not decibels, it’s probably the vibrations,” said Raborn.

“Well, can we get a vibration ordinance?” Mabry asked.

Raborn said he would investigate a possible vibration ordinance. Raborn said the vast majority of noise complaints involve someone playing loud music in a vehicle or their back yard.

Mabry told the Council about waking to loud music at 1:30 a.m. on some occasions. He said the police department needs to ticket violators instead of warning them.

“It might have been alright if they would’ve invited us to the party,” Mabry joked.

Mayor Jan Dockery said officers can use discretion when enforcing the noise ordinance. She said officers often warn violators the first time someone makes a complaint. If an officer has to return a second time over a noise complaint, they often issue a citation, with a fine of up to $250.

La Grange resident Grady McGuill told the Council he is also interested in the noise ordinance. He volunteered to serve as a citizen advisor on the issue.

Raborn said he would present the noise ordinance to the City’s general services committee for review. Council took no official action on the noise ordinance at Monday’s meeting.