Residents oppose noise exception

Group argued against renewal of LCB exemption for Harley rallies

DUNCANSVILLE -- Residents of the Cross Keys area testified Thursday at a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board hearing that music played during periodic rallies at Roundhouse Harley-Davidson during the warmer months is far too loud.

Seven residents attended, all of whom are opposed to the board's granting of an Allegheny Township petition that would renew an LCB exemption from last year that allows the rallies to operate under the township's noise ordinance, rather than stricter LCB rules.

Because the rallies qualify for an exception in the township ordinance for "parades, festivals and similar events" that are township approved or sponsored, there's no limit to the decibel volume -- although the excess noise must cease by 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"It vibrates my windows and straight through my walls," said Ronald Beegle of Municipal Drive, about a quarter-mile from Roundhouse. "It's unbearable."

Beegle deals with it by retreating to his basement or turning up his TV, he said. He normally goes to bed at 9 p.m., but on rally nights, that's impossible, he said.

"There's no reason why any person in the community should have to endure that kind of invasion from a business," Beegle stated.

The rally music sets things on her walls vibrating and agitates her cat like a thunderstorm does, said Barbara Smith, who lives about an eighth of a mile from Roundhouse.

"I don't like to complain, but common sense tells you you need to turn it down," Smith said. "There's no need for it."

"I get that there's an appetite for drinking and live music," said James Adams, who lives a little more than a third of a mile from Roundhouse. "(But) how do you balance that interest (with the interests of) people in the community?"

Most of the neighbors were here before Roundhouse was established, so it's not as if their arrival generated a nuisance out of something that was previously innocuous, according to Adams.

The exception in the township ordinance is the problem, according to attorney Phil Robertson, who represented some of the residents who attended and who offered a petition opposing the exemption signed by 52 neighbors.

The bulk of the ordinance restricts noise to reasonable levels, but the exception for special events places no limits, other than time limits, Robertson pointed out.

Upon reading the ordinance from the beginning, it seems like a prescription for peace and quiet, until you come to the exception, after which "you might as well rip it up," Beegle said.

It's hardly fair that residents could be stopped by township police for hosting a loud party in their backyard, while Roundhouse is free to produce what is presumably much greater noise, according to Robertson.

The township's noise rules should have at least some limit on noise volume, like the LCB rules for which it is substituting, Robertson said.

The police last year received five noise complaints related to the rallies, according to Allegheny Township Chief Mike Robison.

But officers didn't relay those complaints to Roundhouse, because all occurred within the times in which volume restrictions were inoperative, Robison told LCB hearing examiner John Mulroy.

There would have been more complaints, but many people are reluctant to gripe, due to the potential for "repercussions," and because many figure that if something so obvious is occurring, it must have the blessing of the authorities, according to the residents.

The LCB must rule on the renewal petition by April 22, according to Fanelli.

If the board denies the petition, it's not clear whether the township could tighten up the provision for special events, then go through the process of trying again for an LCB exemption in time for the Roundhouse rallies to continue uninterrupted for the summer.

The current exemption expires June 28.

If the board denies the renewal, the supervisors could look at placing a limit on the decibel volume, said Supervisors Chairman Dave Burchfield, contacted by phone after the meeting.

Last year, when the ordinance was passed, the supervisors were "comfortable" with it, he said.

Previously, Roundhouse was always accommodating with the township if anyone called in about an issue, Burchfield said.

Even though the hearing took place in a room at Roundhouse, no company representatives participated.

A phone message left with the company later in the day wasn't returned.

The township police department operates 24/7 and is capable and willing to enforce the municipal noise ordinance, Robison said, in answer to a question from Fanelli.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.