Woodstock indefinitely postpones further discussion on noise ordinance

Woodstock City Council members indefinitely postponed further discussion on a controversial noise ordinance. The City Council in March discussed establishing a noise ordinance that would set decibel level limits for noise during certain hours. The conversation began after residents raised concerns about loud music that they said they can hear from their neighborhoods. Niko’s Red Mill Tavern, 1040 Lake Ave., and Kingston Lanes, 1330 S. Eastwood Drive, were named as the primary sources of the noise.

City officials tabled the discussion March 19, and voted April 2 to move the item off the table and postpone further discussion to an unset date.

The council originally tabled the discussion because the majority of members thought the regulations needed tweaking. The original rule addressed things such as how late music could go and how many decibels was too loud.

The goal is to refine the regulation to ensure it addresses the problems some residents have been facing while also being fair and practical to the venues, Mayor Brian Sager said in a memo to city council members.

“It is anticipated a perfected ordinance will be available for City Council consideration at a future meeting, although a date for such has not yet been determined,” Sager said.

Niko Kanakaris, who owns the Red Mill, has said he is working with a sound engineer and plans to construct a sound-deadening wall to help keep the noise to his property when there are events that include live music performances.

Sager has said he wants to make it clear that the goal isn’t to ban concerts, but to better control how residential areas are affected by the events.