By Lisa Carolin
Despite some recent complaints about noise levels in the township, the Lima Township Planning Commission unanimously voted Sept. 26 to stick with the noise ordinance as it is written.
Resident Susan Filipiak told the commission, “An increment of just a little bit in decibels would be a huge amount.”
Zoning Administrator Tom Caplis recommended leaving the ordinance alone.
“It’s specific and relatively easy to enforce the rules we’re operating under right now, and they do seem to have been working for the last year,” he said.
The topic of the noise ordinance was brought up after some recent complaints about noise at Nordman Lake.
Planning Commission member Bill Coltre said, “In the part of the township where I live, the noise level is unbearable (near I-94 and Freer Road.) There’s no silence at my place. The attenuation of sound in our environment here is part of life.”
In other action, there was a public hearing about off premise businesses. The commission voted unanimously to move the ordinance with corrections on to the board for consideration.
Additions to the ordinance include: “Employees shall be permitted to access the site to pick up and drop off vehicles and equipment.” Also added is that equipment should be stored in a completely closed building or as specified by the Planning Commission through a special use permit, as well as adding that minor routine maintenance of equipment would be permitted from time to time.
The Planning Commission also voted on some updates to the Master Plan that include information on agricultural goals, population numbers and forecasts that will now move to the Township Board.
“Despite some recent complaints about noise levels…”
You make it sound like the residents want to change the noise ordinance.
It is the owners of the Nordman Lake property that want to change it from “audible at 50 feet” to 50 decibels anywhere.
The residence are fine with the way that it is.
They just want it adhered to all the time during events.