(KNZA)--The owner of a Hiawatha bar wants to see changes made to the city’s noise ordinance.
Donald Wooddell, owner/operator of the First Street Bar and Grill, addressed the City Commission Monday evening, saying the ordinance is creating problems for his business. “It's a very vague noise ordinance that leaves no wiggle room for a commercially zoned operation and it's actually causing me a lot of problems,” Wooddell told the Commission. “I continue to get tickets, I've done everything to appease my one neighbor that has a problem with it. I've bought sound deadening curtains at just under $500. I'm four or five tickets into this.”
He said the noise complaints have primarily occurred on karaoke nights, which are held on the first Saturday of every month.
Roy Nemecek, of Wamego, serves as the karaoke DJ. He says the karaoke nights are bringing people from outside the area into the community and revenue into town, but that will stop if the ordinance isn't changed. “We would love to continue doing this but obviously, at this rate, I don't blame them for not having me here because they can not afford these tickets. This will be the third time we've had to rebuild this business on karaoke night, and my fear is my patrons that keep coming obviously are not going to come if your officers are going to come all the time.”
The current ordinance makes it a violation to create a noise that’s plainly audible from a distance of 200 feet between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Police Chief John Defore said as a rule his officers currently act only on citizen complaints and agrees there are no concessions for commercial businesses in the ordinance.
Defore was directed to research possible options and report back to the Commission.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
LATEST STORIES
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Brown Co Sheriff's Office releases April stats
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Commission takes action related to bridge project
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire