Cherokee Votes To Reduce Noise, Light at Aquatic Center

The Cherokee County Commission has taken another step in ensuring they remain good neighbors to those who live near its Aquatic Center. 

The body on Tuesday voted to amend its maintenance service agreement with Shumate Mechanical to allow the company to install variable fan device controls on the center's pool dehumidification units — better known as PoolPaks — at a cost not to exceed $40,000

The commission also approved a landscaping plan for the aquatic center, and authorized staff members to bid out the proposed installation of between 90 and 95 trees for a budgeted amount of $40,000. 

The county will also reach out to the Cherokee County Health Department to see if it could turn off both the indoor and outdoor lighting each night. While the lights outside would be turned off at night, they would still be operated by motion sensors if necessary. 

The decision comes on the heels of countless meetings and communications with residents of the Falls of Cherokee neighborhood who've been vocal about the drawbacks of living adjacent to the new attraction.  

Commissioner Brian Poole, whose district includes the neighborhood and the aquatic center, said the vote is the next step in getting residents "back to some way of life...they used to have before the aquatic center was built."

Commissioner Harry Johnston added the decision was the "biggest thing" the county has done to help the neighborhood. Once the trees are planted and fully developed, it should provide some significant relief, he added. 

Commissioners also voted to table a request to rezone 67.5 acres that lie between Hickory Flat Highway/S.R. 140 and Batesville Road south of the Hickory Road intersection from office-institutional, R-40 and agricultural to R-15.