Lock Haven council to renew noise-exemption request with PLCB, schedules public hearing details

The Lock Haven City Council moved to renew Resolution 2023-04 on Feb. 10, asking the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to continue deferring enforcement of noise for PLCB-licensed entities to the local noise ordinance.

Staff said the city was first given permission in 2019 and renewed in 2020, and that since the three-year term began the city logged 32 noise complaints that were investigated, 24 of which involved PLCB-licensed establishments. Councilors asked whether a public hearing would be required; staff said the letter to the Liquor Control Board must list a hearing location (council chambers) and the local newspaper of record (the Lock Haven Express) so the PLCB can advertise and set the hearing date.

Council voted to move forward with the renewal and directed staff to include the required public-hearing location and advertisement information in the submission to the PLCB. Staff noted the current exemption runs through July 31, 2023, so renewing now would preserve local enforcement authority through the next term while the PLCB considers the application.