Noise Pollution
Let’s look at the Noise Study Mr. Beaver has provided
Active Quarry Noise Level Range Map
Even in Mr. Beaver’s commissioned study, sound ranges exceed city noise ordinances. It’s important not to only look at the averages. Our city noise ordinance does not care about what’s average. It cares about (1) what the readings and (2) how much they accumulate within a 15 minute period of time.
Their study appears to reference the incorrect noise ordinance, and this incorrect ordinance offers exemptions for construction noise.
Petitoner Cited No. IX 93.24:
Sections 93.20 through 93.24 shall apply to all persons, corporations, entities, and landholders who are within the boundaries of the properties described in the legal description provided in Exhibit “A” of Ordinance 40-5-03.
Here’s where Exhibit “A” applies for Ordinance 93.24.
Ruoff Music Center is located here.
The correct city ordinance, 93.25, contains no such exemptions. By the petitioner’s own sound numbers, they would violate existing noise ordinances closest to the nearest residents and trail goers at the park.
More due diligence needs to be done to ensure the project complies with existing laws.
Affects of Noise on Mental Health
This isn’t some “woke-culture” thing. Changes in ambient noise dramatically affect mental health. Here’s the published studies to back it up.
In 2011, researchers discovered a 10 decibel increase in ambient sound resulted in a 28% increase in anxiety.
Another study in 2016 discovered that folks living closer to louder roadways were 25% more likely to struggle with depression.
And a third study in 2018 found that people exposed to noise pollution were found to be significantly more likely to have heart problems like atrial fibrillation compared to those unaffected by noise
Let’s just remind you. This is a residential area.
What does this mean for you?
If you want to look out for the mental and physical health of hundreds residents and parkgoers for the next decade, it’s time to take action, Noblesville.