City of Asheville staff invite community to Noise Ordinance revisions update

Posted on by Web Editors - CAPE
noise pollution illustration

Learn about data collected
through extensive public process and next steps 

 

As Asheville continues to develop and grow, the City has recognized the need to revisit and update the current municipal Noise Ordinance. Led by the Development Services Department, City staff have conducted extensive public engagement efforts this year. 

The public process included outreach to neighborhood groups, the Housing Authority, churches, business associations, industry groups and the LatinX community. The process included an equity analysis to help guide inclusion. The engagement has included:

  •         1,490 online and paper survey responses
  •         23 stakeholder meetings and forums
  •         150 “noise reviews” on the NoiseScore smartphone app

A few top noise issues surfaced during these many discussions and engagements, including:

  •         Construction noise
  •         Early morning trash pickup
  •         Fireworks
  •         Industrial/institutional facilities and equipment
  •         Music over-amplification
  •         Nuisance dog barking

 

The project team plans to bring the data collected to the community during a 3 p.m. Sept. 23 meeting at A-B Tech’s Mission Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive. Please join us to get an update on the Noise Ordinance revision process. Staff will give a summary of the engagement results, highlight key issues, and discuss possible community-based and enforcement solutions.

Spanish language translation will be available.

 

The City acknowledges that excessive noise is a hazard to public health, welfare, and safety. Staff support the core value that the community has a right to an environment free from excessive noise that may degrade their quality of life or diminish property values. The Noise Ordinance revision aims to balance the needs of residents with those of local businesses and recognizes that all parties are essential to a thriving local economy.

 

Please join us for the City’s Sept. 23 update to the community on the Noise Ordinance revision process. Get information about the findings and learn about next steps to updating Asheville’s Noise Ordinance.

 

Want more information? Visit ashevillenc.gov/noise.