Residents complain of profanity and loud noise from "The Rock" events; council urged to stop permits allowing amplified profanity

Multiple Franklin residents told the Common Council on Sept. 16 they were involuntarily exposed to frequent profanity, racial slurs and very loud sound from a music venue known as The Rock during a recently permitted event. Speakers said the content was broadcast clearly across neighborhoods and that the city had previously issued similar permits for at least three years.

"This most recent event marks the third major occurrence in which residents have been subjected to highly offensive, profane, and vulgar language, amplified over loudspeakers, and heard for miles in every direction around The Rock," said Dana Gint, speaking on behalf of the Hawthorne neighborhood. Residents said recordings, police calls and other documentation exist to show the content and volume.

Speakers urged the Common Council to stop issuing permits that allow increased noise within Tax Increment District 5 and to investigate any permit applications the speakers say contained inaccurate content descriptions. Andy Pelkey said the event included an announcer who "used repeated profanity... These words carry directly into my neighborhood." Judy Mills told the council she had received police records showing zero drug arrests at The Rock since opening and urged better enforcement.

Council members and staff did not adopt new regulations at the meeting. Several residents asked for a formal accounting of enforcement actions and citations related to the event, citing City Code Chapter 178 (nuisances). Staff acknowledged residents' concerns and said they would receive submitted recordings and documentation for review and potential enforcement follow-up. No vote or formal directive was recorded to change the permit process that night.