Wheaton to weigh new noise ordinance Monday

Wheaton city council members Monday are expected approve a new noise ordinance that will require a permit for outdoor bands and events, including block parties.

If approved, sound amplification permits would be required of businesses and residents hosting live, outdoor performances. Schools, colleges and sporting events would be exempt until 11 p.m. to allow for the completion of football games that currently run past 10 p.m.

The current noise regulations allows the use of those recreational facilities between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

“I sure would hate to be the guy to wander out on the field at Wheaton Warrenville South tonight and pull the plug at 10 p.m.,” City Manager Don Rose said Friday.

Mayor Michael Gresk said the permit would be free and simply allow for better enforcement.

“My understanding is that this was a bit of a gray area in our local codes so this gives law and code enforcement some thing to work with if and when we do receive complaints,” Gresk said.

Gresk said the city most recently received a “smattering” of noise complaints several years ago when Wheaton College installed a new scoreboard and sound system, but the college quickly addressed the issue.

“The college was very acquiescent in that. They redirected the noise. They turned it down and put up bafflers and did everything we could have asked for,” Gresk said.

Rose said the city's noise ordinances had not been reviewed in more than 20 years and needed to be touched up.

”We get very few complaints but this has been on our list of things to update for several years,” he said. “So we studied what several local communities were doing and pulled this together.”

According to the draft of the proposed ordinance, permits must be applied for and granted prior to a week before the event.

City council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St.