Louisville musicians, bar workers fighting against recent crackdown on excessive noise

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A city-wide crackdown on excessive noise has hit some pocketbooks.

Thursday evening, Louisville musicians and bar workers packed a Hikes Point bar, fighting back against a recent crackdown on excessive noise by the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

"We bring them joy," said Highlands musician Mary Beth VanMeter. "It's actually something they've come to depend on. And now it's been taken away by this frivolous nonsense."

Others argued that music isn't noise, rather chainsaws and jackhammers — sounds of construction work.

Some said it's impacting people from many different walks of life. The Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation (MERF) organized a town hall on Thursday at A Pizza Place in Hikes Point. The president of MERF is Matt Mercurio, and he says this has had an impact on musicians.

"We've actually lost jobs because of this," said VanMeter.

Enforcement of the 20-year-old noise ordinance stepped up in early September.

"We are making a zero tolerance policy for noise at all bars in Jefferson County, ABC Director Brad Silveria said during an August meeting.

If a bar receives a complaint that its music can be heard from over 50-feet away, there's a $2,500 fine.

"All of these bars have known this," said Leslie McCabe. "All the problems is for them, is for years it was not enforced."

McCabe lives in the Original Highlands neighborhood, near Bardstown Road where late night bars stretch for miles. She said most a good neighbors, with a few exceptions.

"They play beyond 10 a.m., they go after midnight, and the music's blaring, and a lot of those residents hear it," she said.

The owner of Joe's Older than Dirt, Cres Bride, is among those pushing back, now the acting president of the newly formed Louisville Hospitality Association, a nonprofit aimed at protecting industry interests. A spokesperson for the group said 20 businesses have joined so far.

"You can't punish all the bars and restaurants across the city for the bad actions of one or two," said Sean Vandevander, with LHA.

But McCabe said the threat of enforcement has helped.

"We just ask them to respect us, also as residents, in the evenings, especially when it comes to weekends," she said.

Meanwhile, VanMeter hopes for a return to warnings, not hefty fines.

"Just tap me, we need to turn it down a smidge," she said. "Just tell me and we'll turn it down."

During a meeting Thursday, Metro Council approved paying for an increase in ABC enforcement in the districts that include Frankfort Avenue and Bardstown Road.

As for changing the closing time for bars from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m., there is no ordinance proposed at this moment, but there are still discussions going on.

The ABC said so far this month, they have cited two establishments for unreasonable noise.

In a statement, the department said "We know the majority of these business owners are respectful towards the neighbors around them. But when we receive excessive noise complaints, we owe it to the community to investigate them. The people of Louisville deserve to live in safe neighborhoods with bars and restaurants that keep noise at a reasonable level."

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