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Neighbors ask Berea council to act on fairgrounds noise, traffic and odors
Summary
Residents told council that loud music, a manure dumpster near property lines, and heavy event traffic from the fairgrounds are harming quality of life; administration pledged to consult police and meet with the fair board.
Residents living near the county fairgrounds told Berea City Council on April 7 that recent events have increased noise, odors and truck traffic and asked the city to press the fair board for changes.
Diana Emerich, who identified herself from 386 Waveland Street, described long-running concerns and cited a decibel reading she said reached 94.5, saying, “94.5 on my noise meter is not peaceful.” Emerich told council the fairgrounds had moved manure dumpsters near property lines, placed speakers that point toward nearby homes, and allowed heavy event traffic — including horse trailers and hay wagons — to use a short residential street, Waveland/Waverly, instead of internal fairgrounds roads.
Council members and city staff acknowledged receiving a detailed email with photos and decibel readings and said they will pursue multiple avenues. Service director Tony Armanio told residents the gate in question provides public access and access to infrastructure (including a Verizon testing antenna) so the city cannot unilaterally close it without further review; he said he would coordinate with the police chief and safety director to determine what restrictions, if any, are lawful for through traffic on a public street. The mayor’s office also said it would discuss the matter with the law department and attempt to arrange a meeting with the fair board and fairgrounds staff to encourage better neighborly practices.
Neighbors said earlier outreach to the fair board had produced little change; Emerich said the fair board “just, they just, don't seem to care” and described being ignored after raising issues about a fireworks ring of fire and early morning loud public-address announcements. Another resident who identified herself as having met with neighbors and fairgrounds staff said some improvements have been made and that several neighbors have joined the agricultural society to build dialogue.
City officials suggested practical fixes the fairboard could adopt, including moving the manure dumpster farther from the property line, rotating or re-aiming speakers away from residential streets, reducing amplifier volume, and making event vehicles use on-site roads rather than the residential through street. Administration pledged to meet with fairgrounds representatives and to explore enforcement or operational options that are within the city’s legal authority.
No formal action was taken during the meeting; council directed staff to consult the police and law department and to pursue outreach to the fair board.
Ending: City staff and the mayor’s office said they would pursue follow-up with police, legal counsel, and the fair board, and residents said they will continue to document noise and operational issues.
