Residents ask Eastchester to enforce zoning after outdoor movie nights, amplified sound at Faith Church

Molly and Liam McMahon of 96 Stuart Avenue told the Eastchester Town Board on June 16 that recurring outdoor events at Faith Church, including Friday movie nights and other advertised summer activities with bounce houses and music, use exterior amplified sound in violation of town zoning rules that prohibit exterior amplifying public address systems.

"The sound from the movie is so loud that you can hear it inside of our home," Molly McMahon said, adding that the couple had emailed the building department multiple times and found responses unhelpful. The McMahons said the church also had displayed large signs that were removed weeks later and that recent dance classes and other activities continued despite their complaints.

Supervisor Colavita responded that the building department and the town attorney have been in communication with the church and that the pastor has been "very compliant in that regard" on prior matters. He acknowledged the delay in removing the signs and said he would reach out again to the building department and the town attorney to press the issue. "We'll reach out again, get the building department there and the town attorney's office and push," Colavita said.

The McMahons asked the town to notify the church of the specific zoning prohibition and to enforce it rather than advising residents to call police only if the noise rises to a public-disturbance level. Colavita said once the town serves notice the church will be on formal notice and required to comply; he also said staff would follow up on the scheduled events.

The board took no formal enforcement action at the meeting; Colavita committed to renewed outreach by building and legal staff to clarify enforcement options and next steps for the neighbors.