Acoustics tests show property-line levels below township limit; board weighs conditions for outdoor amplified events

Noise and the question of whether amplified outdoor events can be permitted at South Street Gardens dominated a late portion of the April 15 hearing.

Applicant acoustical engineer Benjamin Mueller presented a March 25 sound survey that tested the facility's indoor house system and multiple worst-case outdoor speaker setups. Measurements near sources were high (mid-80s dB at speaker locations) but, according to Mueller's recorded measurements, decibel levels fell to low-to-mid 50s and low 60s at the nearest residential property lines depending on speaker placement and window status. Mueller concluded the tested scenarios were under the township's 65 dB property-line threshold and proposed technical controls — distributed speaker layouts, limiters and pre-event calibration — and administrative controls — owner-controlled systems rather than unregulated third-party amplifiers — to keep future events compliant.

Opponents pointed to a resident video in the record they said captured louder audio from an earlier event. Mueller said audibility on a phone recording does not necessarily indicate a code exceedance and that such matters are remediable with the controls he recommended; he also suggested the owner maintain a sound meter on site and perform calibrations prior to events. Board members expressed concerns about enforcement (how quickly the township can verify a complaint) and about the potential for repeat disturbances; they discussed possible conditions such as limits on number and timing of amplified events, mandatory owner control of amplification systems, pre-event property-line checks and a post-approval verification at CO.

The board did not decide whether to allow amplified outdoor music but said it would consider specific, enforceable conditions at a May 18 continuation. If the board allows outdoor amplification it appears likely to require owner-managed technical limits (e.g., system limiters or fixed-amplitude house systems), restrictions on vendor equipment, pre-event calibration and a mechanism for enforcement when complaints arise.