Noise Committee reviews new draft ordinance

A Noise Committee was formed in June to address deficits in the existing Casco Township Noise Ordinance

The Casco Township Noise Committee met on Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm. In attendance were Allan Overhiser, Supervisor, who chaired the meeting; Ron Wise (retired from SHAES); Deputy Hoyt; Debbie Weaver (resident of Miami Park); and Ryan Brush (representing Ag). Brian Murphy was absent.

The Committee's task was to review a draft Anti-Noise and Public Nuisance Ordinance provided by the Casco Township Attorney. The ordinance is modeled after the Lee Township Noise Ordinance. The purpose of the revision is to remove reference to measuring noise by decibels, as consistent and fair decibel measurement is difficult, and decibels do not always capture the annoying or disturbing aspects of noise.

In public comment, a resident of Mount Pleasant subdivision representing the neighborhood's voluntary association asked if a private resident with a pickleball court would be subject to this ordinance. The answer was yes, the resident would be.

Public member Linda Teeter, a resident of 7376 North Shore Drive, shared information with the committee about noise emanating from the South Haven Creations event venue located at 7379 North Shore Drive. She played recordings of sounds heard past 11:00 pm coming from the venue. The Committee concurred that these types of noises would be subject to the Casco Township ordinance as drafted.

The Committee reviewed the text and made a few suggestions. They changed

the variance request timeline to 60 days prior to any event to make it consistent with the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance.

The Committee deemed the nuisance regulations regarding dust, smoke, fly ash, and odors as unnecessary, given the existing regulations regarding open burning and exemptions for Ag per the Michigan Right to Farm Act.

Snow removal noise was added as an exception, permitted at all hours.

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the penalty section of the ordinance. Some committee members favored the option to issue multiple violations in one day, as noise beginning early in the day might continue for hours if the violator chooses to accept the $500 fine rather than quiet down. Supervisor Overhiser will seek clarification from the attorney about what can be done to address frequent violations, ongoing violations, and repeat offenders.

The Committee will receive an updated version of the draft Noise Ordinance for review. It is expected that the ordinance will be forwarded to the Township Board for adoption at the September 15 Board meeting.