Neighbors Oppose Venue's Late Noise Plea - TribPapers
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Neighbors Oppose Venue’s Late Noise Plea

"Ever since the noise ordinance was shifted, it has negatively impacted our business at Weaver House. We primarily cater to a clientele ranging between [the ages of] 25 and 35 on average,"

Weaverville – Outcries from residents who live around the Weaver House outweighed the pleas from the venue representatives in Monday night’s town council meeting in Weaverville. Weaver House is an events venue on North Main Street, and representatives Ward Patton and Alexandria Bertram came to the meeting to voice the need for an occasional additional hour of noise, moving the now 10 pm noise curfew to 11 pm.

“Ever since the noise ordinance was shifted, it has negatively impacted our business at Weaver House. We primarily cater to a clientele ranging between [the ages of] 25 and 35 on average,” Patton told the council. “Young people are getting married, and it’s really been a big issue for us during the summertime when it does get dark until almost 9:30 at night.” He then asked for the extra hour on a limited number of occasions with advanced warning to residents as there are parties that won’t book with them because of the noise curfew. He then asked his booking agent (Bertram) to speak.

“I’ve been working at Weaver House for five years, and I’ve changed from 11 o’clock to 10 o’clock, and there was a significant impact when we made that transition,” said Bertram. “But we are asking for a couple of permits, maybe pay a fee.” She tied it to the Music on Main event and partnering with the town on some events.

However, several residents were at the meeting to oppose granting more time.

“I’m here to voice my opposition to making any exception to the noise ordinance for the Weaver House,” said resident Doug Denwison. “I live right next door and have been for 24 years. Being a neighbor to the Weaver House is awful. There are prolonged outbursts of screaming and shouting by 2 or 300 people. High volume, high-intensity music that penetrates the very walls of the house.” He added that the noise could be considered a “nuisance.”

Janie Neely of Alabama Ave also “objected to any change in the noise ordinance or special events regulations that would allow amplified noise after 10 o’clock…10 o’clock, for us is plenty late. Any change for the Weaver House would affect other businesses too.”

“I enjoy having the Weaver House in the neighborhood…I do not want them in my house, however, and they are in my house when they have music playing,” explained Kevin Ude, also of Alabama Ave.

Council later decided that if they allowed Weaver House an additional hour now and then, other businesses might ask and be entitled to it. They chose not to open that door and took no action.