A Lexington City Council member is asking her colleagues to review the city’s noise ordinance. Hannah LeGris of the third district says there are ongoing concerns expressed by downtown residents about a variety of noises.
“We have complaints about cars drag racing, about loud noises throughout the downtown area, about people revving their engines. In the third district we also sometimes have student parties. There are all these compounding issues,” said LeGris.
LeGris asked that an assessment and enforcement of the current noise ordinance undergo review. The council member said complaints about fireworks are seasonal, but some noises are ongoing. Lexington’s law prohibits any noise that can be heard outside your apartment or house that would annoy or disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.
LeGris said the examination could include looking at how other cities have dealt with noise matters.
“Look at policies in other cities. Figure out what tools are available in terms of reading noise levels. Maybe pilot programs we could try in our downtown core,” said LeGris.
During Tuesday’s Council work session, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said she and former Council Member, now deceased, Tom Blues co-chaired a noise ordinance task force for three years. That work took place a decade ago. She said the then-Council turned down a report. Gorton added, quote, “maybe this Council will have different results.”
