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Private ballpark seeks temporary Sunday noise exemption; county to hold public hearing
Summary
Kremempaqah Farms (Milton Pro Players Park) requested a one-year exception to Cherokee County's noise ordinance to allow Sunday morning baseball and tournaments to start earlier; staff noted the ordinance is vague, a citation from marshals is pending in magistrate court, and the application proposes no amplified speakers on Sunday mornings.
Kremempaqah Farms, also known as Milton Pro Players Park, requested a one-year exception from Cherokee County's noise ordinance on April 15 so Sunday activities at the private facility can begin earlier than the county’s quiet-hours schedule.
Planning staff told the board the applicant is asking for an exception to allow quiet hours to start at 10 a.m. on Sundays for one year to accommodate baseball games, practices and non‑spectator events. Planning staff framed the request as an exception to Article 2, Chapter 26 of the Cherokee County Code of Ordinances, the county’s noise ordinance.
County officials said the permit request follows neighbor complaints and a citation issued by county marshals that is currently pending in magistrate court. As staff explained, the ordinance’s standard is qualitative — it prohibits noise that "would deprive a reasonable person of the peaceful enjoyment of their property" — and enforcement can be difficult without objective limits such as decibel thresholds. Planning staff said they will obtain any available decibel readings before the public hearing.
Staff and commissioners noted the applicant has agreed not to use amplified loudspeakers on Sunday mornings, and staff said organizers had addressed carry‑in speakers parents sometimes bring to games. The kinds of noise expected, staff said, include play noise (bat contact with metal bats) and occasional crowd reactions.
The board will hold a public hearing on the request at its regular meeting. Commissioners discussed a range of options, including denying the permit and leaving enforcement to the courts, approving an exemption with strict limits (for example, limiting the number of Sunday exemptions or permitting only tournament play), or approving with decibel or other mitigation requirements.
Why this matters: The case highlights a gap staff identified between a subjective noise standard in the county code and practical enforcement; neighbors want assurance of predictable quiet on Sunday mornings while field operators seek scheduling flexibility for tournaments and travel leagues.
No final decision was recorded at the work session; the board scheduled the public hearing for the regular meeting that evening.
