Relief is on the way for residents of The Woodlands who have concerns about amplified sound from events hosted at township parks. The Woodlands Township board of directors approved a policy Aug. 24 that establishes an 85-decibel limit for amplified sound at parks, among other guidelines.
Township Director Mike Bass said the policy is a big step forward in striking a balance between special events hosted near residential areas.
“I’d like to have something we can start with because today we don’t have anything,” he said. “You may see the ranger out there, but there is no enforceable standard. If we find that the sound at the origin is too high … we can come back and decide if we want to deal with it.”
Since the board of directors began discussing proposed revisions to its special events policy related to park fees and usage earlier this year, residents have come forward during meetings to express frustration with noise issues.
Resident Michael Cousins, who lives next door to Northshore Park in Windward Cove, said an enforceable sound level is long overdue for larger events and added the 85-decibel level may need to be lowered.
“Park rangers must be given the ability to control that noise that disturbs residents,” he said. “Being disturbed by this intrusive noise while you’re inside your house with doors and windows closed is simply not acceptable.”
Herald Oaks resident Krista Formica said she can sometimes feel her home’s windows vibrate from concert noise.
“I’ll lay in bed and can’t go to sleep until it finally stops,” she said. “The noise at Northshore Park is really unacceptable, and I don’t even live as close as many others do.”
Although many residents may hear noise from live music during the week, the township does not produce concerts on weeknights—only on Sunday from 6-8 p.m., said John Powers, assistant general manager for community services.
“Anywhere outside of that would be coming from somewhere else—most likely the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion,” he said. “I know earlier this week we received many complaints from residents throughout The Woodlands hearing noise from a warmup for a concert during the middle of the day because of the weather conditions.”
Powers also said it is not uncommon to have noise complaints from residents as far away as the Village of Cochran’s Crossing.
Violation of the policy may result in a Class C misdemeanor. Statutes for noise level limits in Montgomery County and the state of Texas are also 85 decibels, Powers said.
