Noise complaints part of ‘growing pains’ as downtown evolves

Musician James Lengel says the opportunity to perform at downtown Macon venues helps him hone his craft, build a fan base and draw in customers.

But while Lengel was playing a hand drum at a restaurant Nov. 9, accompanied by a friend on a two-string guitar, he was surprised when the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office gave a citation to the owner because of the noise level.

That Wednesday evening, downtown resident James Barta, who is also the dean of Mercer University’s Tift College of Education, lodged a noise complaint with the sheriff’s office at 9:01 p.m., one minute past the cutoff point allowed by ordinance.

While Nov. 9 is the one officially documented complaint Barta has filed, several downtown employees say he’s objected to the music level other times.

Lengel said he was unaware of a noise ordinance until the issue came up in November while he was performing at Parish on Cherry Street. Ultimately, he said it’s important that venues continue to have live music, as it’s helpful to artists and businesses.

“It’s more business for restaurants, more entertaining for the people watching and enjoying” music, Lengel said. “It’s beneficial to us having people there to watch us.”

The noise complaint “is an issue we’re dealing with. We want to resolve it in the most respectful way,” the 28-year-old said. “We kind of pride ourselves on making it sound good for not just us but the listeners as well.”

The noise ordinance is in effect from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and it shifts to 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the Macon-Bibb County code.

A violation happens if the noise is “is readily audible in another home, residence, apartment or building in which the usual openings such as windows and doors are closed,” the code says.

Complaints about noise from downtown restaurants, bars and other venues has not been a major issue, NewTown Macon President Josh Rogers said.

The live music scene is important to Macon, he said, as is the relationship between residents and businesses. Even though the number of noise complaints has been low, the fact that it’s at least discussed can be viewed as a positive for downtown, he said.

“(Music) plays to our strength and reflects our historical success in this area, and it’s fun,” Rogers said. “It’s also a really good problem to have. Five years ago, 10 years ago there wasn’t anyone to complain about what’s going on. In some ways this is growing pains. If we act neighborly and act in each other’s best interest, there can be a totally reasonable compromise ... that we can reach.

“It gives people an opportunity to form bands and experiment with their music,” Rogers said. “It’s a foundational building block for reviving our music scene.”

Barta said in an email that the noise ordinance “is a community question as we collaboratively strive to enhance the entertainment, business, and residential experiences downtown.”

He added, “Macon has such potential if we work together.”

Parish owner Chrissy Lee said she enjoys providing a platform for local musicians. Since Parish opened in June 2015, the restaurant has had performances from a variety of musical styles, including Christian, soul, reggae and rock.

Parish will have its noise complaint hearing on Jan. 3 in Municipal Court. Lee said the citation is a minor detail and that the focus should instead be about live music offering a chance for artists to showcase their talent around downtown.

Through word of mouth, Parish has become a popular place for musicians to perform, so much so that the restaurant had to begin booking dates for the acts. At the peak, musicians entertained crowds multiple days a week, but that’s down to a couple days a week.

“It’s not about me,” Lee said. “We’re trying to support local music.”

Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Larry Schlesinger, who represents part of downtown, said residents and businesses have to coexist in order for downtown to reach its “full potential.”

“Downtown is an entertainment and business district, but at the same times it’s (becoming) a neighborhood residential district,” Schlesinger said. “There has to be a balance between the two.”

This story was originally published December 16, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Noise complaints part of ‘growing pains’ as downtown evolves."