Athens committee weighs noise-ordinance changes for fairgrounds, agricultural zones

The Athens Local Review Committee on Thursday reviewed the city’s existing noise ordinance and discussed possible updates focused on amplified outdoor sound at the fairgrounds and protections for homes in the agricultural (AR) zone.

At the meeting, City Manager Brad Griffin summarized the work to date and asked staff to return with specific recommendations. "At our last meeting in March, we've talked a little bit about the scope," Griffin said, noting staff had assembled a PowerPoint with complaint counts, aerial mapping and ordinance language. Planner Doug (staff) described how the current ordinance measures noise: "is it plainly audible at a certain distance, at a certain time, in a certain zone?" and cautioned that the rule is based on audibility rather than decibel levels.

Why it matters: neighbors near the fairgrounds have filed recurring complaints about amplified music, and committee members said the current ordinance — which contains an exemption for noises produced "in the normal course of business" and specific protections tied to RS zoning — does not clearly protect people living in AR zones. The committee focused on options that would address the fairgrounds’ repeated events without unintentionally restricting other lawful commercial or industrial activity.

Most important facts

- Enforcement and measurement: Police staff and the…