Following a decade-long effort of trying to amend the noise ordinance in Addison Township, local resident Erich Senft might finally get some peace and quiet.
Supervisor Bob Koski outlined the proposed addition to the ordinance at the Jan. 25 township meeting.
The amendment would prohibit the ‘operation of any kind of race track, proving ground, testing area or obstacle/racing course for motorcycles, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, motor vehicles, boats, racers, automobiles or motor vehicles of any kind on any property in the township not specifically zoned or approved for such uses…If zoned or approved for any location in the township, such operations shall comply with the zoning ordinances…?
It would exclude all areas zoned agricultural ‘to the extent noise is from machinery or motors strictly related to agricultural functions.?
Addison officials will vote on the proposed amendment to the noise ordinance at their Feb. 19 meeting.
Senft, an 18-year resident of Addison, and 15 other residents who live near Mack and Townsend roads first approached the township about amending the ordinance after a neighbor created a motocross dirt track on his property, which Senft said became ‘extremely noisy.?
Motocross is a form of motorcycle racing held on off-road or enclosed circuits.
Senft said they contacted the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation in Addison, but deputies? hands were tied because the noise ordinance didn’t pertain to their specific problem.
‘This (nuisance) is township-wide,? Senft later told this reporter. ‘I really don’t want to single this (situation) out with. . .but it kind of brought it to light. We are standing up and we’re saying this is enough.?
As far as Oxford Township goes, it doesn’t have a specific noise ordinance targeting motorcycles or racing, but does have one that’s for industrial noise, such as gravel trains, that exceeds certain decibel levels.
The ordinance, however, excludes noise created by lawn maintenance during certain times of the day.
According to Mike Kawa, ordinance officer for Oxford Township, there was one incident that involved a noise issue and dirt bikes like in Addison.
He said some teenagers created a race track on private property near Sanders Rd. a couple years ago and a neighbor got angry about the noise, but nothing could be done.
‘When you’re on private property you don’t have to wear a helmet, you don’t have to have a license,? Kawa said. ‘Basically, you can do what you want.?
If the incident occurred on public property, Kawa said the sheriff’s department would have been called and deputies would have most likely issued a warning before giving the violator a citation of disturbing the peace.