Special Public Hearing on Proposed Noise Ordinance Amendments for Amplified Sound - October 14, 2025

This special public hearing was held on October 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Raleigh City Council Chamber. The purpose was to receive public comment on proposed amendments to the noise ordinance regarding amplified sound from commercial establishments. The amendments, based on recommendations from sound consultant Brian Block of Sound City Planning, propose three categories of decibel limits: for Glenwood South, for the remainder of the city, and for venues outside Glenwood South that obtain a permit. Twenty-eight speakers signed up, and each was given two minutes to speak. The hearing concluded after all speakers, and the council took a break before the next public comment session at 7:00 PM. No vote or decision was made; the council will consider the proposal at a later meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Lovenheim (Glenwood South stakeholder): Asked the council to visit Glenwood South around midnight on a Saturday to understand the real-world impact of the proposed decibel limits before making a decision. Emphasized that livelihoods depend on the district.
• John Zimmerman (Operating partner, Village on Glenwood): Opposed rushing the ordinance, arguing that a previous decibel-based system was abandoned because it was unworkable (city staff publicly stated decibel meters cannot identify which business sound comes from). Claimed selective enforcement under the current reasonable person standard, stating he was the only one ticketed during an education phase. Said the proposed limits are so low that every downtown bar would be in violation. Asked for a delay and a site visit.
• Evan Duke (Resident and bar manager, Glenwood South): Opposed the ordinance, stating that it threatens the livelihoods of workers who rely on weekend revenue (10 PM–2 AM). Noted that bars already invest in sound management and that the rules change almost yearly, creating confusion. Asked for consistency and fairness.
• Angela Floyd (Glenwood South resident, 11 years): Expressed full support for the new noise ordinance. Requested trained staff for enforcement and monthly data on citations and proactive enforcement. Disagreed with the midnight step-down for Glenwood South, advocating for the same 10 PM standard as the rest of the city. Clarified she is not part of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative.
• Larry Miller (Glenwood South resident, not representing the Collaborative): Supported the objective standard, non-sworn enforcement officers, and a different standard for Glenwood South. However, raised concern that the decibel levels in the ordinance do not specify the LEQ (equivalent continuous level) measurement protocol, which averages over 15 seconds, leaving the standard open to interpretation of spikes.
• Bryce Holbrook (Student, works weekends): Opposed the ordinance, stating that strict noise limits take away spaces where students and locals connect and affect his ability to work and afford tuition. Asked the council to vote against the ordinance.
• Brian Kite (15-year Glenwood South worker, former resident): Opposed, stating that the proposed limits do not reflect the reality of Glenwood South, which hosts up to 10,000 people on weekends. Asked for a realistic ordinance that considers the district's character and the families who depend on the industry.
• Jamar Davis (Manager, Glenwood South): Opposed, noting that about 90% of income for many venues comes from 10 PM–2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Said that setting decibel limits below the natural equilibrium is unrealistic and threatens livelihoods. Asked for a fair chance.
• Dean Kittelson (Owner/operator, Pearl Imperil; resident): Expressed negative impact opinion, stating the ordinance would nullify his bar's revenue and employee income. Mentioned the trickle-down effect on beverage distributors and ABC stores. Asked for collaboration.
• Kenneth Locklear (GM of nightclub): Opposed, emphasizing that 90% of income comes from the narrow weekend window. Said the proposed limits are below the natural equilibrium and would effectively prevent operation. Urged stabilization of ordinances.
• Alexis Cambareri (GM, 23 and Up Lounge; single mother): Opposed, citing constant changes and confusion. Asked the council not to push the ordinance through quickly and to visit Glenwood South on a Saturday night.
• Josh Von Cannon (Whiskey Rose, 20-year nightlife veteran): Opposed, asking for a fair chance and noting that cutting sound and energy affects livelihoods. Asked for collaboration.
• Kim O'Sullivan (Chief Administrative Officer, Oak City Group, single mother): Opposed, noting that the nine bars under her management employ nearly 400 people who depend on weekend revenue. Asked for a delay and a site visit to understand the decibel levels.
• Jeff Green (25-year bar manager): Opposed, stating that decibel limits would diminish the atmosphere and energy of Raleigh's nightlife. Asked not to take away his ability to provide for his family.
• Gabby Long (Community outreach organizer, A Woman's Choice): Urged the council to recognize health care facilities as noise-sensitive areas, apply the same standard to amplified and unamplified sound within 300 feet, assign one of the proposed noise monitors to the clinic area on days when amplifying sound is used, and ensure consistent enforcement. Cited studies showing negative health impacts of noise.
• Stephen Blake (Volunteer legal observer, A Woman's Choice): Urged the council to strengthen, not weaken, protections for noise-sensitive areas. Noted that protesters yelling at the clinic constitute unreasonable noise, yet enforcement has been inconsistent, with no citations issued. Asked for consistent enforcement.
• Kelsey McLean (Volunteer, A Woman's Choice; former employee): Described harassment and shouting at the clinic, both amplified and unamplified. Said that the noise interferes with patient care and causes physiological impact. Noted that Raleigh PD has not enforced the ordinance despite being present. Asked for consistent enforcement.
• Ashley Robertson (Assistant GM, Westwood; single mother): Opposed, asking for a delay and a site visit. Said constant changes affect businesses and livelihoods.
• Matthew Golden (Owner, Bowstring Brew Yard): Expressed full support for the proposed sound ordinance, stating it is reasonable and that his venue can adjust. He does not intend to have music after 10 PM. Noted that Bowstring has sold over 20,000 tickets and paid over $50,000 in sales tax.
• Catherine Wilson (Resident, Dennis Avenue, 0.6 miles from Bowstring): Described hearing live music clearly from Bowstring multiple nights a week, preventing enjoyment of her home. Noted that the problem has persisted despite complaints and that the new ordinance needs to consider topography and distance. Asked for more consideration.
• Kinsley Perry (Security manager, Oak City Group): Opposed, asking the council to remember workers and families who depend on the industry. Said targeting bars hurts workers.
• DeAndre Jones (Nightlife worker): Opposed, urging delay and collaboration with venue owners, artists, and residents to find a solution. Said the proposed thresholds make compliance nearly impossible.
• Derek Andrews (20-year Raleigh resident, 10-year Glenwood South worker): Opposed, fearing harm to nightlife and the city's vitality. Said mismanaged noise ordinances will cripple nightlife.
• Krista Padgett (Resident, 3,210 feet from Bowstring): Asked for distance provisions in the ordinance. Noted that 70 decibels at Bowstring may still be audible in her home. Agreed with bar owners that the process should be slowed down for collaboration. Clarified that neighbors are not trying to shut down Bowstring.
• Aaron White (Resident, Belvedere Park/Woodcrest): Asked for distance provisions. Said he can hear all lyrics and bass from Bowstring despite being half a mile away. Noted that the current draft ordinance would not require a permit at 70 decibels, so no additional sound control would be needed.

Key Outcomes

• No decisions, votes, or directives were made during this public hearing. The council is expected to consider the proposed ordinance at a future meeting, potentially placing it on the consent agenda, City Attorney's Report, or as a special item.
• The council heard from 28 speakers, representing a range of positions: many Glenwood South business owners and workers opposed the ordinance, citing economic impact and previous failures of decibel-based enforcement; some Glenwood South residents supported the ordinance but requested adjustments; neighbors of Bowstring Brew Yard urged inclusion of distance-based provisions; and advocates for A Woman's Choice clinic requested stronger protections for health care facilities.
• The public hearing was followed by a 15-minute break before the next public comment session at 7:00 PM.