Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors’ noise complaints lead board to deny private music-gathering permit for Shovelheads
Summary
After extended public comment about frequent loud music, parking and septic concerns, the planning board denied a request to hold private music gatherings at the Shovelheads barn in Chesterton, citing persistent neighbor impacts despite proposed limits.
The Porter County planning board denied a request to hold private music gatherings at a Chesterton barn known as Shovelheads, citing sustained neighbor complaints about noise, late-night disturbance and drainage and septic concerns.
The petition, filed as case UV2025-81 for property at 320 East 1500 North, asked the board to allow private musical events in an existing barn. Neighbors and nearby residents told the board they regularly hear amplified music at high volume well past bedtime and described traffic and parking on the adjacent county road. “I can hear the music in my family room when I sit and watch TV,” said Steve Waltz, a nearby resident who told the board the sounds can be “numbing” and said he had gone to the barn and turned the stereo off after it ran into the early morning hours.
Supporters, including several young musicians and a parent who said the venue is a “crucible” for local talent, urged the board to preserve the space as a community music resource. One supporter said the gatherings are family-friendly and have supported nonprofits and school events.
The petitioner acknowledged complaints and described steps he said he had taken after being notified by zoning staff: installing a decibel reader, removing advertising banners, restricting access to private events and limiting gatherings to select Sundays in June–August from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. He also said he would speak with neighbors about weeknight practices.
Board members repeatedly returned to two recurring concerns raised in testimony: reports of loud stereo use outside the requested Sunday hours and questions about on-site septic and drainage systems. “If you can’t maintain it below 65 decibels twenty-four-seven, that’s not doing your neighbors any favors,” one commissioner said during the discussion.
After discussion the board moved to deny the petition; the clerk announced the vote as carried 4–0 in favor of denial. The decision closes the current request; the petitioner may pursue other remedies available under county rules.
The planning board closed the public hearing after receiving written letters from additional neighbors that were added to the file and after asking county staff to follow up on septic and permit compliance issues.
