Residents press Smyrna for enforcement as trucking operation next to Lake Farm neighborhood draws noise, light and debris complaints

Three residents raised repeated complaints about a trucking operation adjacent to the Lake Farm Road neighborhood, asking the town to enforce noise, light and cleanup standards.

Tommy (Tom) Crowe (202 Deer Road) described the neighborhood as a longtime residential area and said trees that served as a buffer had been removed. "What I would like is I would like continued and more noise abatement," Crowe said, adding that backup alarms and metal noise carry into homes at night. Council members said the parcel remains zoned residential on the neighborhood side and that the council and planning commission would not vote to rezone it to industrial without due process.

Staff reported the operator has been cited for debris piles and lighting and is scheduled to appear in court on April 23. Officials said they are seeking a vendor to measure decibels and obtain an enforceable sound-read record; staff also reported recent mulching of debris piles and said they have been working to engage the operator. Residents asked whether cameras or intrusive surveillance exist on the trucking site; staff said that had not been addressed in depth in the meeting segment and would be followed up.

Pat Sely (509 Lake Farm Road) urged the council to pursue zoning and code changes to prevent future encroachment and described the work as "scorched earth" clearing that damaged the neighborhood’s quality of life. Council members instructed staff to use all available legal enforcement steps "the minute that we can move to the next step," and to report back to residents.