Johns Creek Tackles Nuisance Ordinance Changes

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The Johns Creek City Council on Monday will take up two options that would amend its nuisance ordinance to address issues such as trash collection, music, landscaping and yard equipment and construction activity.

The council's meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 23 at Johns Creek City Hall.

Option A, developed by a stakeholder committee, would address nuisances related to music and amplified sound for commercial establishments, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, construction activity, domesticated animals and trash collection.

This option would consider adding both daytime and nighttime maximum decibel levels for noise related to amplified sound and music. It would also limit landscaping and yard maintenance to certain hours of the day for residential and commercial properties, and allow city officials to determine when nuisances are created by construction activity and noise from pets and trash collection. Option A would also require the city to purchase high quality noise level meters, which can cost between $600 and as much as $1,100.

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Option B is Mayor Mike Bodker's version of amendments to the nuisance ordinance. Bodker's proposal addresses nuisances from entertainment venues as well as construction activities, landscape and maintenance equipment, animal sounds and trash removal. This option doesn't utilize maximum decibel levels, but notes a violation occurrs when an amplified sound is "plainly audible or sensed at the receiving residential property."

This would be the case at all times for indoor entertainment venues and during specific hours set for outdoor entertainment venues. Those specific times are proposed to be between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and between 11 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

All other incidents of music and amplified sound would still be covered by the current noise nuisance ordinance language.

Bodker's proposal would also set progressive fines based on the number of violations during any 12 month period.

Monday's meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, which is located at 12000 Findley Road Suite 300.

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