[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6462165,"mediaKeyId","5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f","parentId",5811876,"title","Council presses for action on Noble Metals noise; city begins expanded sound monitoring","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",2298000,"endMs",2576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f&start=2298&end=2576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f/thumbnail_2298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462165/Tennessee/Council-presses-for-action-on-Noble-Metals-noise-city-begins-expanded-sound-monitoring","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462165-9bfebd8046a7ebcf71ef3bb9c6008f32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488893&Signature=iiG3SyueNTRuPDCuTzddv8mh-6qS1E0AAAMrfTe0WEAWAfX4h8GJAsFPawFAYlMwA4Jm9oJRikgwHGST0GHW7-kfxoSNBwXIno8-IaDiYZ85sKgDA9Glgj31WUVyw7oVvM7CfT5CMiErxJ3A~uakfdebyGREuEMZZhlUfB4DKWrfALvjt-6TymMfyq9QBYY7GOJe1czSkJpP8bIQGhPNYnzv7P2UGv0Emdr8P1GtnxhhTe~r9aNSI8r9Iu2plKkMeo3oTciwBSsHLxOFHbI-VIYNV84znwzkJOALLovkSvN0uyLIRlaoi81ru13gGUjfKqIfWSZ-elnyDwnqRFX8PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oak Ridge","date","2025-09-22T17:43:00Z","article","Oak Ridge City Councilors and staff addressed ongoing residential complaints about noise from Noble Metals, a recycling and materials business on Belgrade Road, and directed staff to expand monitoring and explore enforcement or relocation options.

Planning and code staff reviewed background: a third‑party sound study in December 2024 found noise ordinance violations; the city issued a notice of violation and requested a mitigation plan from the business. The city recently purchased new, calibrated monitoring equipment and trained staff to use it. Beginning Sept. 8 and continuing through the present, staff have taken multiple measurements at different locations around the business’s property line at various times, including early-morning visits starting before 5 a.m.

Staff described the ordinance’s measurement framework used in Oak Ridge: daytime L50 of 65 dB (50% of the hour), L10 of 70 dB (10% of the hour) and a maximum absolute limit of 80 dB. Early results from the new equipment, including readings from the afternoon of the meeting, show the business is \"nowhere near\" breaching the 50/10 thresholds in sustained terms, staff said, though the city has recorded some peak noise events above the 80 dB maximum. Staff cautioned that peak events often proved to come from other sources on replayed audio — for example a dog barking at the nearby animal shelter or truck backup beepers — and that the new equipment can record audio when measurements exceed a set threshold to identify sources.

Neighborhood councilors and residents described repeated disturbance at 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., and asked whether operating-hours limits could be enforced or whether the city could require the business to load trucks the night before to eliminate early‑morning loading. Council members suggested placing the city’s monitoring equipment on residents’ properties (the city said it can), conducting multi‑day continuous sampling where feasible, and testing uphill back‑decks where neighbors report the loudest impacts. Staff said devices require occasional charging and cannot run uninterrupted for long stretches but can be deployed over consecutive days with charging breaks.

Some councilors urged exploring a land-swap or relocation option for Noble Metals to move operations away from residential areas; staff noted potential long-term planning options such as identifying industrial parcels in the ETTP corridor and raising the idea with impacted businesses. Legal and zoning history was discussed: staff reviewed prior Board of Zoning Appeals approvals for Noble Metals (2004 and 2018) and said those approvals did not cap business size or require operations entirely inside a building; council discussion touched on aesthetics, neighborhood impacts, and whether operations remain consistent with the intent of nearby industrial zone standards.

Council directed staff to continue multi-location measurements, to consider resident porch/backyard monitoring on request (noting such recordings may not meet code standards for enforcement but are useful evidence), and to pursue options to reduce early‑morning operations in coordination with the business and legal staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Oak Ridge - Oak Ridge City Council Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After months of complaints, Oak Ridge staff told councilors they have deployed new calibrated sound equipment and are conducting expanded monitoring at Noble Metals; councilors urged measures to curb early-morning noise and suggested resident-based monitoring and long-term relocation options.","taxTitle","Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee","taxId",62219,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462176,"Council asks for input on rezoning former federal parcels in ETTP and prioritizes small-area planning",570,820000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f&start=820&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f/thumbnail_820000.jpg","/articles/6462176/Tennessee/Council-asks-for-input-on-rezoning-former-federal-parcels-in-ETTP-and-prioritizes-small-area-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462176-4c21243939b169b7b43d293919b0c53f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488893&Signature=aKosEqSa~iv01c1rbx~fqdqBp45~N8gmurG9nIdXREcfkzzwjq3DJVImdEb1wVaSzaNn-W9h2cF1l5zwokITUqSkZZjyakAq3jKwO2qIXtG3jF1Yul~6J8xlHSOpcSkPJR7RBfhl0vXMDPQBDvqgu5qdXNXbfF28HG-j7jQPCpemtpZSzL~ts3YwYVLVfard16yjBGpJda-YjesBzJp58P-QMBc8wRVNa5O84Mje8TfJr3dqGNXBsKdZSQ5yL-53oh73s4dy8gbh8SuhLTjesCepP~tihOPFfZ0rvD1j-gThGPIcrUKlzpiVu-31vJVQTY7zwXn-CuDQyZaclRQksw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Ridge City Council discussed preliminary planning options for multiple parcels in the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) that remain zoned Federal Industry and Research (FIR) after transfer from federal ownership.

Jennifer Williams, planning staff, said the city’s zoning ordinance asks that property transferred from federal ownership be reclassified from FIR to a different zoning. Many parcels are vacant or contain buildings that predate the transfers; staff recommended IND-2 (industrial) for most parcels, with exceptions for deed-restricted industrial properties, the Powerhouse site and the Carbon Rivers property. Williams said some already‑transferred parcels are zoned IND-2 and noted a nuclear overlay district is in process and could sit on top of IND-2 designations.

Council members asked about handling non‑industrial public uses within the FIR area (for example a fire hall and the K‑25 History Center). Williams said public uses are permitted in industrial zones and recommended speaking with property owners before any rezoning. Several councilors raised the idea of reserving some frontage along key roads for commercial zoning to support businesses and services near new industrial employers in the west end and ETTP.

The council also reviewed candidate “small-area” planning priorities to supplement the comprehensive plan. Williams listed five current small-area topics from the consultant contract and proposed additional candidates: 1) the ETTP/Heritage Park area, 2) west-end commercial opportunities, 3) preparation for a potential parcel transferred from DOE (EB-6), 4) Milton Lake waterfront planning, and 5) the Jefferson shopping/commercial area. Staff told the council a stand‑alone small-area plan begins at about $75,000 but suggested alternative procurement options including an RFP for local firms or in‑house work by planning staff.

Council members recommended priorities that would support redevelopment and protect open space: Jefferson shopping area and west-end commercial planning were named by multiple councilors as near-term needs; others urged attention to preserving open space on DOE‑owned ridgelines and identifying commercial frontage where appropriate. The council did not take a binding vote but asked staff to gather input and continue coordination with the planning commission and property owners.

Separately in the work session, Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation executive Mr. McGill briefed councilors on private investment and land-transfer strategy tied to ETTP. McGill said the corridor has attracted roughly $16 billion in announced investment over the last two years and that the corporation is pursuing discussions with the Department of Energy and other partners about transferring surplus reservation land to the community for mixed uses including industrial, housing, open space, and recreation. Council members asked staff to continue those conversations; one councilor asked staff to bring a formal request to DOE to pause a proposed transfer of a portion of ETTP land to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) so the city can evaluate potential conflicts with nearby industrial uses.

Council requested further outreach to property owners and more detailed cost and scope options for small-area plans before adopting zoning changes.","Oak Ridge planning staff and councilors discussed reclassifying parcels transferred from federal ownership in the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), potential IND‑2 zoning for many parcels, and candidate small‑area studies to guide future development.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462179,"Council adopts property maintenance and revised stormwater ordinances",379,398000,777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f&start=398&end=777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f/thumbnail_398000.jpg","/articles/6462179/Tennessee/Council-adopts-property-maintenance-and-revised-stormwater-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462179-f9b3305cea50b6261b95443a8b8095f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488893&Signature=AhkiMhGKYy6gV2G6l315~gX62~a5DbqIw6trMW8QrFrCRIK4p1~MctlHHLT~YBFb5ljnxyPn2Kk6XrNo6hk3OmpBlcFJYEvjHsSeG~XUmbckUey26Hr4awT4Vl2HTrm2RsItyGYJJelWjLleeP3oXBN7TAjoht2TkBxC21sdm2AZO0WOmRzXgP6Q-ojDR2lISk~O8MyORX-0sWx5RHbou4MsCEwiQIYfzwrq3q794NoGjSS6q2Z389435zfgsTMdrI2yQVlruQGErLlPaqCjzuv-pH3tOPjNeJbBJsRXyL0uKlkrMU2spphGTyGyiTdL3Zpzp6Y7g3xrdF3fXGt0Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday approved a set of municipal code changes addressing property maintenance and stormwater management.

On second reading the council adopted an ordinance amending Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations) and Chapter 2 of the city code; the motion carried 7-0. The council also approved on second and final reading amendments to Title 14 (Zoning and Land Use Control), Chapter 5 (Stormwater Management) that clarify sequencing for sediment control measures, require sedimentation retention structures before clearing large areas, and require continuous stabilization on sites where stabilization is required. A substitute ordinance with revised language was offered and accepted before the vote.

During discussion staff said the substitute ordinance made a minor but important wording change to clarify that continuous stabilization “shall be maintained at locations where stabilization is required,” addressing uncertainty about what constituted an “active” site and the 15-day temporary exclusion used elsewhere in the code. The amendment passed unanimously.

Council also moved a separate ordinance on first reading to amend Title 14, Section 14-506 to require temporary stabilization of steep slopes when activity on the slope has temporarily or permanently ceased. Staff explained the proposal largely follows language in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) handbook but proposes defining a steep slope at 30% or greater (TDEC uses 35%) and requiring stabilization no later than seven days after construction activity stops. Council approved the first reading 7-0.

The stormwater and property maintenance amendments aim to reduce erosion and runoff risks from construction sites by ensuring sediment controls and stabilization are in place before and during site disturbance. The city will implement the new provisions as codified pending administrative steps to finalize the ordinances.","Oak Ridge City Council approved amendments to the property maintenance code and to stormwater management rules (second readings) and advanced a steep-slope stabilization amendment on first reading. The council adopted a substitute ordinance clarifying continuous stabilization requirements for construction sites.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462184,"Oak Ridge council approves TEFRA resolution allowing housing authority bond issuance",132,258000,390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f&start=258&end=390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6462184/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-TEFRA-resolution-allowing-housing-authority-bond-issuance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462184-e85b320fd8c4490ce28b9806b1007190/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488893&Signature=ILSN-hK1d7tyV5eNAl1G~fl4Gxx~8iZgswJh5cHij3R4EZnyMDIe1vLXpyvzrOZXPPduSq4DVPgxfysYF2~-I3FvrXTQVk-50ZaBytcHRCQvdb3T2ZYewycEhgtXeUEuWyGx3A62YZFJZFQ9cY2wdCz-B8VxYAPYLr4VSvp8d~f2P0aQ1ABc46ftiA3lPB19FFJCOYeU~sGcYEmBPqSFSK5xoSGqKXJ0s7Mu-6Qt6P2aCn3JFGdlIFF4CxAe3GaJ~aSviyOm4yP7CU6GMRwwLvHcL0b5jGnPMjqddFDUKM9zOjiKB4RM~7Nn-DzXe7BjTA9y22EZrnFCWxtLkBZE7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday approved a resolution under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act allowing the Oak Ridge Housing Authority to issue bonds to finance construction and rehabilitation of a multifamily redevelopment project.

The vote was 7-0. The council’s action is an approval required under TEFRA and does not create a city obligation for repayment of the bonds.

The resolution’s attorney of record, Ms. Recker, told council members the federal TEFRA process requires local public approval of bonds issued by a housing authority. “There is no city obligation for these bonds,” Recker said, “It just does require that city council approve the issuance.” She added that the bonds must be issued and closed within one year of the approval and that the new approval will revoke the prior resolution once passed.

Council members asked for confirmation that the city would not be financially liable. Ms. Recker reiterated that the city would carry no obligation. After brief procedural steps the council voted, recorded as seven ayes and no nays.

The resolution does not change city finances and does not appropriate city funds. The action grants the housing authority the local approval needed to proceed under TEFRA; the authority will move forward with financing on its own timetable subject to the one-year closing requirement.

The council adjourned its special session and moved into the scheduled work session after completing the resolution and other agenda items.","The council voted unanimously to approve a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) resolution backing bonds to finance construction and rehabilitation of the Oak Ridge redevelopment multifamily housing project; city says it will carry no obligation for the bonds.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462171,"Powerhouse/Carbon Rivers site remains under scrutiny after code and fire-hazard findings",174,1843000,2017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f&start=1843&end=2017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811876-11318d1618925156cd5609fafe2b869f/thumbnail_1843000.jpg","/articles/6462171/Tennessee/PowerhouseCarbon-Rivers-site-remains-under-scrutiny-after-code-and-fire-hazard-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462171-0ef16238bff52d0ede8795feedf03e50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770488893&Signature=WDU1dgh-4TAZvT~h5n8-RdQlz35igL3dGvO2VniHm-OCTt~n7kmG5hjdQe0B3uHNONbxXQGndWR4pJ7cY8LVZXq0cNQWnjzRF7Lrl0Q27bvyIzgsQ9H~sBvT1l4ui~7PDJJ1zUDvNFhC4Qcsr-QN7Qkpmn0KOT7-ChkTh-pOprZby1bR4AJhMKu9p3AkiO1qrtL6V8mRvt3oM2kIXcTFQKGyaE1ShjgowSGpVgPNjmdevf~M6jwucnuo3dEfqLYd9gZ9OLEAoEen6MZpYv8Eh87~y5iw89~N5BHG8uo5PQJ0UHtSQwcbVQSoSFFcvfX86rjcx6fwjXbvkwYImcGZoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors received an update on code-enforcement and fire-safety issues at the Powerhouse site (referred to in the meeting as the Carbon Rivers property) after prior postponement of a zoning action tied to outstanding violations.

Staff said the Planning Commission had recommended a zoning map for the Powerhouse site but the council postponed second‑reading action in May until code violations were corrected. Jennifer Williams, planning staff, briefed councilors that the outstanding issues fall into two categories: property‑maintenance and building-code violations handled by code enforcement, and fire-code concerns handled by the fire department.

Williams said a property-maintenance citation had gone before the city’s administrative hearing officer (AHO) and resulted in a $1,500 fine. A subsequent fire-hazard analysis by a third‑party fire engineer recommended two principal actions: (1) ensure the size and spacing of windmill-blade piles are safe for fire protection and (2) provide adequate water supply for fire protection at the site. The fire department estimated four to six months for the property owner to reach compliance on some items; staff cautioned timelines can vary.

Council members pressed for certainty about whether Carbon Rivers had stopped accepting or recycling windmill blades; staff said they could not confirm with certainty whether incoming blades had ceased and that aerials and on-site photos showed substantial material remains. Councilors asked the city attorney’s office to provide a legal opinion on actions that would enjoin further deliveries if necessary; staff said options include renewed citations to the AHO and filing in city court for fire-code violations.

Councilors emphasized urgency. One councilor noted the owner had worked with TVA and had reported downsizing piles and pursuing water service; others said fines may be insufficient and asked staff to pursue all available enforcement tools. The council did not take immediate enforcement action at the meeting but directed staff to analyze legal options and return with next steps.","Council received an update on outstanding property‑maintenance and fire-code violations at the Powerhouse/Carbon Rivers site; city staff said some violations remain, a fire-hazard analysis recommended changes including reducing blade-pile size and improving water supply, and fines have been imposed by the administrative hearing officer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council presses for action on Noble Metals noise; city begins expanded sound monitoring

Council asks for input on rezoning former federal parcels in ETTP and prioritizes small-area planning

Council adopts property maintenance and revised stormwater ordinances

Oak Ridge council approves TEFRA resolution allowing housing authority bond issuance

Powerhouse/Carbon Rivers site remains under scrutiny after code and fire-hazard findings