PINE LEVEL -- The noise ordinance bans the blowing of steam whistles - unless it's to signal quitting time at work or "a warning of danger."
Also, the ordinance lowers "the shouting and crying of peddlers, barkers, hawkers and vendors" and tells residents to keep noise down around the hospital and the courthouse - two institutions this small town doesn't have.
After a resident expressed concerns recently about noise, Pine Level commissioners took one look at their rules and realized an update was long overdue.
"I think we need to come back and come up with a cleaner, more 21st century ordinance," Mayor Jeff Holt said. "I think somebody needs to review this for verbiage more than anything else."
Holt said he didn't like the provision that gives the mayor sole authority to issue permits allowing noise from such things as phonographs and "manual or automatic pianos." It's a responsibility he says he'd rather not have.
"I don't want any application made to me to allow a party next to my friend," Holt said.
The commissioners asked Town Attorney Frank Wood to draft a new ordinance based on what other area towns have on the books.
Holt said he wants the new ordinance to have specific times for quiet hours. "We just want some ordinance on the books that has some teeth," he said.
But Police Chief Keith Sparks said he's concerned modern noise rules might require police to take a decibel reading before issuing a citation.
At their Sept. 13 meeting, commissioners will look at a proposed ordinance and determine then whether the town would need to buy a decibel meter.
Zoning issues
Also at the September meeting, commissioners will hold public hearings on proposed changes to the town's zoning ordinance.
One change would limit the posting of campaign signs to 45 days before an election and 15 days afterward. Another would allow fences up to seven feet tall in residential areas and up to 10 feet in commercial and industrial areas.
Zoning administrator David Holmes also wants to talk about how much land townhouse projects must set aside as open space. The town's current rules require a half-acre of open space for each townhouse built. Holmes called that "fairly strict."
Also in September, commissioners will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request for a lot on West Blanche Street.
