Noise Advisory Board – March 11, 2024

Noise Advisory Board Meeting Recap – March 11, 2024

The City of Asheville’s Noise Advisory Board convened virtually on March 11, 2024, with a core group of board members present: Rick Freeman, Jeff Santiago, and David Ledger. Jessica Thomason and Carmelo Papillonio were absent from the meeting. The discussion centered on aligning board priorities, addressing vehicular noise concerns, and evaluating the current structure of the Board itself – all in anticipation of a potential review of Asheville's noise ordinance by City Council later this year.

A key decision made during the meeting was the unanimous approval of a letter to the Asheville Police Department (APD). This letter, drafted by board members Jessica Thomason, Rick Freeman, and Noise Administrator Todd, outlines expectations for increased noise enforcement downtown during weekend saturation efforts. The goal is to improve data collection on noise violations and enable the APD to address repeat offenders through fines or other measures, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful downtown environment. Approval of the February meeting minutes was postponed until the next meeting due to issues with distribution for review.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around prioritizing the Board's focus areas for the coming year. Councilwoman Mosley announced that City Council is considering a review of the noise ordinance, making it crucial for the Board to define its priorities. Members were tasked with individually identifying their top areas of focus and sharing those with the group, ensuring the Board’s efforts are aligned with potential changes to city regulations. Beyond prioritization, a robust debate took place regarding the current composition of the Board. Concerns were raised about difficulty in recruiting applicants from key sectors like restaurants and construction, and a strong emphasis was placed on adding representation from residents of multi-family housing units, given the high volume of noise complaints originating from those areas. The possibility of replacing the current "audio engineer" role with a public health professional specializing in the impact of noise on human health was also discussed, reflecting a desire to ground the ordinance more firmly in public health science. Jeff Santiago underscored the importance of balancing representation between those who generate noise and those impacted by it, ensuring balanced decision-making.

There was no public comment during the meeting.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified to guide the Board’s work. Board members are expected to submit their prioritized focus areas, and Noise Administrator Todd will meet with Mark (from the city) to explore funding options for cautionary sandwich boards in downtown areas. The Board will also actively investigate potential candidates for the public health professional role, including individuals with experience related to noise concerns around Mission Hospital. The discussion on board composition will continue at the next meeting, with Jessica Thomason expected to rejoin the conversation. Ultimately, these steps aim to refine the Board's focus and ensure it is well-positioned to provide informed recommendations as City Council considers a potential review of the noise ordinance.

This meeting highlighted the Board's commitment to addressing noise concerns in Asheville and ensuring a balance between residents’ quality of life and the vibrancy of local businesses. The upcoming discussions on board composition and prioritization will directly impact how the Board approaches its responsibilities, potentially leading to changes that affect all Asheville residents.