SPRINGDALE — The city could be a little quieter after the City Council approved changes Tuesday in the noise ordinance.
The revision pertains to loud noise created by sound amplification. It allows police officers to cite those who repeatedly refuse to turn down the noise, even if the sound doesn't register above decibel limits in the ordinance, said Ernest Cate, city attorney.
AT A GLANCE
Hunt Donation
Mayor Doug Sprouse announced Johnelle Hunt and the Hunt family will donate $500,000 to help the city buy Rabbit’s Foot Lodge, a two-story log cabin, and 40 acres. The property is between J.B. Hunt Park and Lake Springdale.
Source: Staff Report
"It affects those places where the sound can be reduced by turning a knob," Cate said. "It doesn't apply to noises that are not amplified by a sound control device."
The change will give the Police Department more leeway, said Kathy O'Kelley, police chief.
"If it is a continuous annoyance, then the officers could ticket the offender," O'Kelley said.
Low bass noises have been a problem, O'Kelley said, since the decibel meters don't pick up those low frequency sounds.
"It has to do with the sound wave frequency," O'Kelley said. "The meters don't pick up some wave bands well."
Alderman Eric Ford said some conditional uses in commercial areas created problems.
"The commercial construction doesn't block the sound well and disturbs the neighbors," Ford said. "We've had this problem all over town."
The council pulled the permit for a church in a commercial building at 2250 Sunset Ave. after people living in an apartment complex on Henryetta Street complained many times about noise from the church.
"Our officers have to make a decision if the noise would be an annoyance to them if they lived there," O'Kelley said.
The revisions would affect residents or businesses that amplify sound, including music, Cate said.
It wouldn't apply to unamplified noise, such as from industry, Cate said.
The council also approved defining vehicles that have to follow truck routes through the city as those with more than six wheels.
NW News on 04/09/2014