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Residents of Cypress Glen press Greenville council on enforcement of noise ordinance, decibel monitoring discussed
Summary
Multiple residents and Cypress Glen leaders told Greenville City Council that vehicle noise — especially modified mufflers — is disrupting a residential and healthcare community; council and police said decibel meters exist and the district attorney and police are coordinating enforcement efforts.
Residents from Cypress Glen told the Greenville City Council during public comment that vehicle noise from modified mufflers and speeding cars is seriously disrupting life in the residential and health-care community.
Luther Davis, Wayne Meads and Kathleen Tootle (spelled in the record as Tootle) described repeated loud muffler noise near Cypress Glen and asked the council to enforce the city’s noise ordinance more consistently. Meads said the recurring noise exceeded acceptable limits in his yard, and Tootle referenced medical research tying long-term noise exposure to cardiovascular and sleep problems. Laurie Stallings, executive director of Cypress Glen, told the council the campus is home to about 320 residents, employs approximately 250 staff and will expand further; she asked the city to enforce the ordinance to keep Cypress Glen a good neighbor.
Resident David Edwards showed video and photos documenting chronic flooding on Golden Road and criticized a cross-agency stalemate over an undersized pipe in a DOT right-of-way; he told council the area had been told for years that the city and DOT were each responsible and that stormwater fees had not resolved long-standing localized flooding. Council members responded that staff and relevant officials would follow up.
Mayor Connolly told the Cypress Glen visitors that Police Chief Richard Bridal would be available in the foyer after the meeting to discuss enforcement actions and recent conversations with the district attorney’s office. At one point a councilmember asked whether the city had decibel meters; Chief Bridal responded that the city does have them.
During discussion later in the meeting several council members praised police enforcement activity — the council mentioned a traffic safety unit that issued about 400 tickets in a week — and said staff had met with the district attorney to target repeat offenders. Council member Blackburn proposed a public information campaign and clearer signage to make residents and drivers aware that modified mufflers are illegal; she suggested exploring enforcement options tied to vehicle inspection processes. Mayor Connolly and others thanked Cypress Glen residents for making the issue known and said staff would follow up with the police department and DA.
Why it matters: residents said the noise affects a facility that serves older and medically vulnerable people and requested clearer enforcement. City officials said equipment (decibel meters) and interagency coordination exist, and councilmembers asked staff to look at additional public information and enforcement options.
What’s next: Police chief and city staff said they will meet the residents after the meeting and continue coordination with the district attorney’s office; council members urged staff to explore signage, information campaigns and possible changes in enforcement policy.
