Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Construction Noise topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee amends school-construction noise waiver to name 'project general contractor' instead of Hammond Construction
Summary
An ordinance temporarily suspending part of the city's noise code (6.34.01(c)(7)) for Saturday start times at the North Ridgeville School District high school construction site was referred back to council with language changed to refer to the project's general contractor rather than naming Hammond Construction directly.
The Committee of the Whole voted Monday to send an ordinance back to council with amended language that replaces an explicit reference to Hammond Construction with the project’s general contractor for a limited waiver of the city noise ordinance.
The ordinance (as introduced) would suspend North Ridgeville Codified Ordinance 6.34.01(c)(7) for Hammond Construction and its subcontractors to allow certain Saturday work to begin at 7 a.m. when necessary to make up time on the new high school and a school transportation/maintenance facility.
Mayor Corcoran said the waiver was requested by Hammond Construction to help keep the project on schedule after weather-related delays. “They asked if they could get some relief from the start time on a Saturday morning to 07:00 instead of 9,” Mayor Corcoran said, noting the district and contractor are trying to meet milestones tied to opening the new high school in August 2028.
Councilmembers raised two recurring concerns: whether the ordinance should name a specific private contractor and how residents closest to the site would be informed when early Saturday work would occur. Councilmember Winkle suggested using a special-permit model or leaving authority with the mayor to issue and revoke waivers; others favored placing the waiver in an ordinance to allow public discussion and transparency because of the project’s long duration.
A resident who identified her address as living on Von Matta Road said neighbors had received notice letters but asked that the city clearly post or otherwise notify when a Saturday start at 7 a.m. is planned. Councilmembers noted a recent neighborhood meeting run by the contractor, and staff said the contractor’s point person, Bill Sherman, had provided a cell phone number for neighbors to call with concerns.
Councilmember Winkel moved, and Councilmember Awig seconded, to send the ordinance back to council with language that replaces the specific reference to Hammond Construction with wording that applies only to the project’s general contractor. Clerk roll call recorded yes votes from Swank, Schaffer, Havens, Winkle, Haywick, DuBreece and Jacobs; the motion carried.
The ordinance will be revised to remove the contractor name and returned to council for final consideration; city staff and the school district indicated they will continue to notify nearby residents when early Saturday work is planned.
