Resident urges Elkhart County to adopt enhanced countywide noise ordinance over Bristol Innovation Park concerns

Susan Betty Lumis used her public-comment time at the June 29 meeting to urge the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners to pursue a countywide noise ordinance that accounts for waterways and cumulative industrial and traffic noise.

Lumis identified herself by name and address and said she and her husband own roughly 600 feet of waterfront on the north side of the St. Joe River near Sheep Creek. She told commissioners she is concerned the Bristol town ordinance permits industrial zones to produce noise up to 79 decibels around the clock and said that standard is inappropriate where industrial operations are sited near waterways.

"The town ordinance permits industrial zones to produce noise up to 79 dB 24/7," Lumis said. "Noise attenuation across the St. Joe River for the Bristol Innovation Park has not been evaluated." She described a perceived "mirror effect" where sound can travel and magnify over water and said cumulative noise from a local wood-products business and nearby roads contributes to the problem.

Lumis asked the board to consider a countywide standard that would reduce continuous industrial noise, require attenuation near bodies of water and better protect health and property values. The board did not take action during the meeting; the remark was recorded as public comment and no formal response or vote was noted in the meeting record.

Her comments highlighted community concern about the siting and permitting of industrial activity in proximity to residential waterfront property and asked the county to assert a broader role in noise regulation rather than leaving the matter solely to the Bristol town ordinance.