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Council narrows residential setback and adds decibel limits for event centers; ordinance passes 6–2
Summary
Council amended the city's banquet/event facilities ordinance to reduce the residential setback from 250 to 50 feet (retaining 250 feet for schools/churches), add hours of operation and cap sound at 65 dB; the measure passed 6–2 amid questions about enforcement and prior variance denials.
The City Council approved an amendment to Section 652B.5 of the Supplementary Use Regulations to change the allowable setback for banquet facilities from residential properties. Under the amendment (Ordinance 21-18) the residential setback would be reduced from 250 feet to 50 feet while leaving the 250-foot setback for schools and churches intact. The Planning Board added limits on hours of operation (7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., seven days per week as discussed) and a decibel limit not to exceed 65 dB in line with residential district restrictions.
Applicant Bryan Hargrove spoke in support, saying the venue would host reunions, weddings and celebrations and that ``there will be no problems with the sound as it will be contained within the building.'' Council Members pressed staff on enforcement: Council Member Garry D. Daeke asked if police could measure decibel levels and from where; Police Chief Marcus Barrow said his agency could check decibel complaints and staff said sound would be measured from the residence or any location 50 feet away.
Council Member Jason A. Spriggs and others referenced an earlier site-specific variance request that had been denied for lack of demonstrated hardship, prompting discussion on how the ordinance change differs from a variance. After debate, the ordinance passed with six votes in favor and two opposed (NO: William Burnette and Sara M. Coffey). The ordinance was recorded in the Ordinance Book.
The amendment changes the city’s blanket supplementary use standards and will allow event centers closer to residential property lines subject to the new hours and noise restrictions. Future enforcement will rely on police capacity to document decibel violations and on code enforcement for related compliance issues.
