Commission opts against noise vote

The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners agreed April 7 that a noise ordinance would not be in the best interest of the county's residents. The issue came before the board originally after Tommy Smith asked the board to consider an ordinance due to a neighbor's barking dogs.

Commissioner Sandy Carter brought up the issue again near the end of the meeting, noting that County Manager Don Adams and Sheriff Mike Caudill have been out to the area to listen and talk with the owner of the dogs.

"After hearing both sides of the story, I'm not sure this is an issue the county commissioners should be looking at," Carter said. "I believe it's a civic matter. Once we open that can, we have a lot of issues we have to deal with."

Adams said County Planner Jack Conaway researched noise ordinances in other counties at the board's request, but no further action was taken, pending further instructions from the board.

Commission Chair Eldon Edwards said that subdivisions could have their own animal regulations by putting restrictions on property owners.

"A noise ordinance would be very difficult to police," said Edwards.

"It is not feasible to consider a countywide noise ordinance." Carter said Adams informed her that he has fielded about five such complaints in the past six years, which is Adams' length of service here in the county. "This issue is not significant enough to take action," she said.

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