Ogle County may vote on noise ordinance next month

OREGON – The Ogle County Board discussed instituting a noise ordinance for unincorporated areas of the county at its meeting this week.

“The goal is for it to be enforced independently or jointly by the sheriff’s office, Ogle County Health Department and planning and zoning,” board Vice-Chairman Patricia Nordman said.

Chairman John Finfrock said wants the board to vote on the ordinance at next month’s meeting in order to get "on top" of the complaints and because Sheriff Brian VanVickle wants the ordinance in place.

The discussion comes because of an increase in complaints over the past 4 or 5 months, most having to do with the bar Sledgehammer's, on state Route 2 north of Oregon.

In fact, Ogle County sheriff's deputies arrested Jason Stombaugh there Sunday and charged him with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, because of the noise; as of Friday; however, no official charges had been filed by the Ogle County state's attorney. Stombaugh was released on an I-bond.

“On Sunday, a resident contacted us to file charges for disorderly conduct,” VanVickle said. “The deputy who responded did an investigation and thought the complaints met requirements for an arrest.”

Noise complaints have been “ongoing” since Sledgehammer’s reopened in March and “haven’t slowed down,” VanVickle said.

The only noise ordinance the county has on its books now deals solely with barking dogs.

Stombaugh said last month that he’s been trying to stop the noise complaints by shutting down bands at 10 p.m. and abiding by “state ordinance rules.”

“Actually having a noise ordinance in place would help us more than it would hurt us,” Stombaugh said. “This is a commercially zoned property. We have different standards. It would allow us to continue to operate without the consistent harassment.”

The ordinance the county is considering would be for noises that disturb people more than 500 feet away, and not by decibel level. It would be in effect from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 p.m. until 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The ordinance would apply to permanent establishments and would exclude temporary things like a football game's PA speakers, ByronFest and the Ogle County Fair. For enforcement, an initial complaint would be a warning that’s explained, with the complaint investigated for its validity and the responsible party identified.

A later violation would include the responsible party being notified. Fines start at $500 and increase to up to $1,000. Violators would have to be found guilty or convicted by a judge.

“It sounds like a good framework and my team can review it for legal requirements,” State’s Attorney Eric Morrow said.

Chairman John Finfrock said wants the board to vote on the ordinance at next month’s meeting in order to get "on top" of the complaints. And, he said, VanVickle wants the ordinance in place.