NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Councilman Jeff Syracuse hopes a new ordinance passed by Metro Council Tuesday night will have a "cumulative effect" and make things a little quieter in downtown Nashville.
The ordinance came about due to concerns from police, who work on Broadway, who say they have trouble talking to each other and to other first responders because of how loud it can get downtown.
If there's a crime or issue that needs to be addressed that barrier would sometimes affect the response of officers and that could lead to situations where public safety is at risk.
The final passage of this bill means businesses will need to position speakers that are within ten feet of an open door or window toward the inside of their business. Music levels have to be at less than 85 decibels during business hours, which the CDC equates to the noise level of a lawnmower. It has to be even lower outside of business hours at 70 decibels. Syracuse points out, those decibel levels are already written into current Metro code.
This ordinance includes private property so they can crack down on noise problems at short-term rentals.
The ordinance goes into effect immediately. In 90 days, police will let the council and the Mayor's office of Nightlife know whether this has helped or not.
The ordinance also included a Memorandum of Understanding between Metro Police, the Nashville Department of Transportation and the Department of Codes which states that all three entities will be in charge of enforcement. Syracuse said that's because Police resources are already strained, so help is needed from other departments.
Syracuse said he hopes with the changes to the speaker placement at all downtown businesses, there will be a cumulative effect that will result in it being quieter.
