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Residents press council over River District noise; committee declines ordinance change
Summary
Residents told the Safety Services Committee that music and patron noise from Cincinnati Distilling on Mill Street is audible inside homes. Committee members reviewed decibel readings (highest 81 dB during a band) and, citing low complaint counts and enforcement limits in the current code, decided not to amend the sound ordinance but to continue outreach to the business.
Residents told Milford’s Safety Services Committee on Sept. 12 and council on Sept. 17 they can hear amplified music and patron noise from Cincinnati Distilling in the River District.
“It's far higher than any traffic that I have heard,” resident Mary Kipp said of the distillery’s Friday and Saturday night music; she told committee members she could hear the band inside her house and that “as the night goes on, it gets louder.” Committee chair Ralph Vilardo Jr. noted that June 9 decibel meter samples taken along the River District showed a highest reading of 81 decibels while a band was playing, and that department reports indicate traffic is the dominant measured source in some locations.
Committee members discussed enforcement limits under the existing code and comparative approaches used in other entertainment districts. Councilman Vilardo said time restrictions are often the most effective local tool: “Even though we could go to a decibel system, it is a very subjective thing… I am supporting [keeping music] because I am not eliminating music from that business. And we will continue communication with them to try to work as diligently as possible to muffle as much sound as possible.”
Safety Services members also reviewed police call records and found eight noise-related complaints over a two-year period. Councilwoman Lisa Evans said she had met with the distillery previously; the owner reported efforts to redirect band orientation and to install buffering panels, and said most nights the band finished by 9:30 p.m.
The committee determined not to change the ordinance at this time but agreed to continue outreach to the distillery and encourage additional mitigation. The decision leaves open residents’ concerns about intrusive late-night noise; council minutes show the city will keep communication lines open and monitor complaints and mitigation efforts.
What happens next: the city will maintain outreach and enforcement as complaints are reported. Committee members also suggested encouraging additional sound buffering and operational changes by the distillery.
