Proposed noise ordinance continues to draw concern

BOONE, N.C.,None — The crowd at 641 rpm Thursday wasn't at the store to buy records. 

The hastily organized meeting of "Citizens For A Reasonable Noise Ordinance" was to give community members a chance to talk about a community-contested noise ordinance, on Boone Town Council agendas since August.

"I just like going to see live bands in Boone," Watauga County resident Rob Lewis said. "I think it adds a lot to the culture of the town."

Lewis and others fear decibel level recommendations agreed to by the town council at a January meeting will "kill live music."

He, along with two dozen other concerned citizens, were the first to sign a petition asking for higher decibel limits. 

"It's pretty much every member of this community's civic duty to try to protect the rights of businesses downtown," signer and 641 rpm employee Devon Tuttle said. 

The petition, which will be left at both 641 rpm and Boone Saloon for community members to sign, was a collective effort, 641 co-owner Travis Reyes said. 

"That's the main reason we're here tonight," he said. "To let everyone know that (the petition) is out and it's circulating."

Reyes asked the crowd to continue contacting town council members, but to keep comments and emails respectful. 

"Make it very clear that you are a voter in this town," he said. "You can do that without being overtly angry. We're all (angry) about this, but we have to focus this energy, or else it isn't going to do any good."

Additionally, the group discussed surveying students to see how big an impact music and culture had on their decision to attend Appalachian State University.

"I'd like to prove that 75 or 80 percent of these kids are here for the music and culture and art of Boone," Reyes said. 

But it's not just about students, ASU junior Megan Ternes said. She asked people to spread the word among neighborhoods, and to gauge the response to the ordinance.

"When push comes to shove, I feel like council's going to listen to residents," she said. "They have a stronger voice. They are staying here longer than four years. They see this town as more than a college town."

Decibel recommendations made by town council members are not finite. They are recommendations to assist town attorney Sam Furgiuele in drafting a new ordinance, next on the town council's agenda at its regular monthly meeting, Feb. 14 and Feb. 16 in the town council chambers on Blowing Rock Road.

A Facebook group for Citizens For A Reasonable Noise Ordinance had 82 members Friday.

WSOC