STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Cave City leaders have approved changes to the city’s noise ordinance that sets a 10 p.m. cutoff and set a specific decibel limit.
During a special-called city council meeting March 12, Cave City Police Officer Billy Courtway presented amendments to the ordinance and described how a committee developed its recommendations, saying the group reviewed several other city ordinances, state law and guidance from national organizations that study sound, along with local decibel readings taken with a meter.
Courtway told council members it was the committee’s recommendation that the city maintain its 10 p.m. noise cutoff instead of extending it to midnight, in part to protect nearby residential neighborhoods.
Under the new rules noise complaints will be evaluated using a city-approved decibel reader, with sound measured from the complainant’s property line. If the reading is above 65 decibels after 10 p.m., the person or business creating the noise would be considered in violation of the ordinance, according to Courtway’s presentation.
“[W]e believe that’s the fairest way to protect the residents as well as business owners,” Courtway said. “[W]ith this entertainment district, we are trying to bring things downtown. We understand that, and so if there is somebody that does want to host, say, a concert or something like that…they could potentially apply for a permit or something like that would be approved through the office of the mayor for a one-time event that could last until a certain time, whatever’s approved.”
Courtway also discussed the need for written exceptions to the limits. He said the ordinance already recognizes certain exceptions, such as Fourth of July fireworks, and recommended keeping those in place while adding clear language for noise from regular traffic, trains and city-approved events.
The council approved the amendment unanimously, with council member and local business owner Leticia Cline abstaining.
After the vote, business owner Matt Stasel, who owns Roxglass, expressed frustration with the decision and said he is prepared to move his business to another location if the new restrictions affect his operations, commenting that he had already spent $1,100 on soundproofing.
“I’m over it,” Stasel told Glasgow News 1 after the meeting. “I’m done with it. They want me out then… I’ll go to Glasgow; I’ll go to somewhere that actually cares about entertainment…. We’re not ever going to catch up with [Bowling Green] and everyone that’s around us as far as the entertainment district because they are shutting us down at 10 p.m.”
“Crazy,” he added.
Council member Ronald Coffey confirmed this ordinance applies to the entertainment district.
Key Facts
• Cave City council met in a special-called session March 12 to consider noise ordinance changes
• Police Officer Billy Courtway outlined amendments based on research into other laws and decibel standards
• The ordinance keeps a 10 p.m. cutoff for noise limits
• Noise above 65 decibels after 10 p.m. will be considered a violation, according to the presentation
• Decibel readings will be taken from the complainant’s property line
• The amendment passed unanimously, with council member Leticia Cline abstaining
• Business owner Matt Stasel of Roxglass objected and said he may move his business
• Exceptions are expected for traffic, trains, fireworks and city-approved events, according to the presentation
Michael Crimmins with Glasgow News 1 contributed to this reporting.
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