L8models
08-11-2005, 12:40 PM
BY JACK McDUFFIE, Staff Writer
Dublin resident Benny Britt said, at the County Commissioners' first Monday meeting, that the racetrack at Dublin is in violation of the county's noise ordinance and creates a noise hazard for the community.
Britt read a portion of the county's current ordinance regarding noise prohibitions in the county. He pointed out that the first article in the ordinance talks about "loud and raucous noise."
"What we're dealing with now is different," said Britt, referring to the noise at the racetrack. "What we have is not a raucous noise, but a terrible noise that is ruining the quality of life for residents of our community."
He said that residents who live as much as 10 miles from the track have told him that they can hear the racing at the track every Saturday night. He said he had been told by a resident of Tar Heel that he could hear the racing well at his home.
"What I'm talking about is not "raucous noise, it's terrible. I'm talking about cars without mufflers," he said.
Britt pointed out that the ordinances in other counties in the region have specific decibel limits for residential areas and that the noise from the racetrack is far greater than any of those counties' ordinances permit.
He stated that the maximum decibel limit in Brunswick County for residential areas is 60 decibels and that the county allows this noise level from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. He said in Robeson County, the level allowed is 65 decibels at all times.
Britt said that it has been proven that noise levels above 70 decibels "can destroy hearing." He said that the noise from the racetrack in Dublin is far in excess of 70 decibels and that the racing sometimes goes until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.
He said that the noise makes it impossible for residents of the community-he lives about one mile from the racetrack-to sit outside on Saturday night and that sleeping is impossible while the racing is in progress.
He said high noise levels have been associated not only with hearing loss, but also with other medical conditions.
He said one simple change-requiring mufflers on the cars-would lower the noise level enough to keep the racing from interfering with the well being of others.
Before Britt could complete his presentation, the commissioners recessed to enter a joint meeting with the Bladen County School Board in an attempt to resolve a dispute regarding school funding.
Britt, who is severely hearing impaired, did not hear Commissioner Chairman Greg Taylor when he asked if anyone wanted to speak at a public hearing regarding a proposed new county noise ordinance. He did not speak until later in the meeting.
When the commissioners returned to regular session nearly two hours later, Britt had left and did not complete his presentation.
The proposed ordinance would replace the county's existing noise ordinance.
During the public hearing earlier in the meeting, County Attorney Leslie Johnson said that the ordinance the county adopts had to be "enforceable by the District attorney or it wouldn't hold water."
The purpose of the proposed ordinance, as stated in part, reads: "Because of the regulation of excessive and unnecessary noise that may jeopardize human health or welfare or substantially degrade the quality of life is well with the purview of this governing body's police powers, it is declared to be the purpose of this section to prevent, prohibit, and provide for the regulation and abatement of excessive and unnecessary noise which may injure the physical and emotional health or welfare of its citizens or degrade the quality of life."
The proposed maximum sound levels proposed in the ordinance are as follows:
* Residential or public space - 60 decibels from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. and 55 decibels from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
* Recreational, commercial or business - 70 decibels from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. and 60 decibels from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
* Manufacturing, industrial or agricultural - 70 decibels at all times.
Some exemptions are permitted in the ordinance including some which require special permits from the Bladen County Planning Department.
http://www.bladenjournal.com
Dublin resident Benny Britt said, at the County Commissioners' first Monday meeting, that the racetrack at Dublin is in violation of the county's noise ordinance and creates a noise hazard for the community.
Britt read a portion of the county's current ordinance regarding noise prohibitions in the county. He pointed out that the first article in the ordinance talks about "loud and raucous noise."
"What we're dealing with now is different," said Britt, referring to the noise at the racetrack. "What we have is not a raucous noise, but a terrible noise that is ruining the quality of life for residents of our community."
He said that residents who live as much as 10 miles from the track have told him that they can hear the racing at the track every Saturday night. He said he had been told by a resident of Tar Heel that he could hear the racing well at his home.
"What I'm talking about is not "raucous noise, it's terrible. I'm talking about cars without mufflers," he said.
Britt pointed out that the ordinances in other counties in the region have specific decibel limits for residential areas and that the noise from the racetrack is far greater than any of those counties' ordinances permit.
He stated that the maximum decibel limit in Brunswick County for residential areas is 60 decibels and that the county allows this noise level from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. He said in Robeson County, the level allowed is 65 decibels at all times.
Britt said that it has been proven that noise levels above 70 decibels "can destroy hearing." He said that the noise from the racetrack in Dublin is far in excess of 70 decibels and that the racing sometimes goes until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.
He said that the noise makes it impossible for residents of the community-he lives about one mile from the racetrack-to sit outside on Saturday night and that sleeping is impossible while the racing is in progress.
He said high noise levels have been associated not only with hearing loss, but also with other medical conditions.
He said one simple change-requiring mufflers on the cars-would lower the noise level enough to keep the racing from interfering with the well being of others.
Before Britt could complete his presentation, the commissioners recessed to enter a joint meeting with the Bladen County School Board in an attempt to resolve a dispute regarding school funding.
Britt, who is severely hearing impaired, did not hear Commissioner Chairman Greg Taylor when he asked if anyone wanted to speak at a public hearing regarding a proposed new county noise ordinance. He did not speak until later in the meeting.
When the commissioners returned to regular session nearly two hours later, Britt had left and did not complete his presentation.
The proposed ordinance would replace the county's existing noise ordinance.
During the public hearing earlier in the meeting, County Attorney Leslie Johnson said that the ordinance the county adopts had to be "enforceable by the District attorney or it wouldn't hold water."
The purpose of the proposed ordinance, as stated in part, reads: "Because of the regulation of excessive and unnecessary noise that may jeopardize human health or welfare or substantially degrade the quality of life is well with the purview of this governing body's police powers, it is declared to be the purpose of this section to prevent, prohibit, and provide for the regulation and abatement of excessive and unnecessary noise which may injure the physical and emotional health or welfare of its citizens or degrade the quality of life."
The proposed maximum sound levels proposed in the ordinance are as follows:
* Residential or public space - 60 decibels from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. and 55 decibels from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
* Recreational, commercial or business - 70 decibels from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. and 60 decibels from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
* Manufacturing, industrial or agricultural - 70 decibels at all times.
Some exemptions are permitted in the ordinance including some which require special permits from the Bladen County Planning Department.
http://www.bladenjournal.com