McKinney City Council discussed modifying the city’s noise ordinance during a special meeting July 23. During the meeting City Council gave city staff the go-ahead to look into revisiting the definition of power equipment and extending the city's quiet zone. Discussions about the city’s noise ordinance comes after residents spoke out about noise concerns during a July 17 City Council meeting. Residents were concerned with noise and pollution created by three concrete plants—Martin Marrietta, Cow Town Redi Mix and Lhoist North America—located along Hwy. 5. These plants are located near residential neighborhoods or quiet zones as defined in the city's ordinance. The noise ordinance, Section 70-120b7 of the city code, currently states: “Specific noise disturbances prohibited: Power Equipment. Operating or permitting to be operated any power equipment (as defined herein and excluding construction equipment which is specifically regulated above) within a residential district or quiet zone, or within 500 feet of any residence or quiet zone, in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance. Furthermore, any such activity shall create a noise disturbance per se if conducted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.” In summary, operating a power equipment, or motorized electric or fuel powered equipment, may not be done between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. if the business is located within 500 feet of a residential district, school, college, hospital, clinic, library or other noise-sensitive facilities. During a presentation, city staff suggested changing the ordinance to read as follows: “Specific noise disturbances prohibited: Power Equipment. Operating or permitting to be operated any power equipment (as defined herein and excluding construction equipment which is specifically regulated above) which is not wholly contained within a building (as defined in Section 146-46) within a residential district or quiet zone, or within 1,000 feet of any residence or quiet zone, in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance. Furthermore, any such activity shall create a noise disturbance per se if conducted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.” Executive Director of Development Services Michael Quint also suggested further defining power equipment as “any motorized or mechanical electric, hydraulic or fuel powered equipment, including, but not limited to equipment which is free standing or mounted or attached to a vehicle.” Previously, power equipment was defined as “any motorized electric or fuel powered equipment, including, but not limited to, tractors, lawnmowers, and other similar device or equipment,” according to the presentation. City staff will begin further enforcing the current noise ordinance Aug. 1, Quint said. According to the presentation, city staff recommends all of the city’s noise regulations be revisited as part of a comprehensive update of the development regulations in the future.