Council debates noise ordinance second reading: construction-hour limits and 1,000-foot rule discussed

Lebanon City Councilors discussed a second reading of a proposed noise ordinance that would limit certain loud construction activities near residences, but the transcript shows no final vote on the ordinance at this meeting.

Jeff Banes, commissioner of public services, summarized several key points discussed at the infrastructure committee and during public input: operations described as "wholeramming" (a construction activity the council identified as particularly loud) would not be allowed to start before 8 a.m. when within 1,000 feet of a house; equipment preparation (such as filling or staging) would be allowed before that time so long as noisy operations did not begin; loud work would be restricted on Sundays and limited on certain holidays and Saturdays. "You're going to tolerate some construction activities," Banes said, adding the ordinance aims to balance construction industry needs and neighborhood peace.

Councilors said the intent was to set a reasonable start time for loud construction so working residents could complete their jobs while limiting disturbance to neighbors who expect relative quiet. One councilor asked whether nighttime street-sweeper activity in Vineyard Grove would be covered; staff said that specific instance might not fall squarely under the ordinance and would be examined closely.

Councilors described the ordinance as a work in progress that can be tweaked if complaints continue after implementation. The discussion took place during old-business and committee-report portions of the agenda; the council did not record a final voice or roll-call vote on the noise ordinance in the meeting transcript provided.