Photo by Jason Benavides

Aug. 8. By Dave Vieser. The ordinance which governs the times and location construction activities may occur in Cornelius has been expanded. The change was unanimously approved by the Town Board at their Aug. 7 meeting.

The existing ordinance only applied to residential and business districts, according to Planning Director Rox Burhans. The new amendments will expand the applicability to all districts, including industrial sites.

Citizen complaints

Burhans explained that the town staff had received several complaints from citizens living near industrial construction sites where construction activities were occurring in the very early morning hours and causing significant disturbances.

One of those complaining was Nick Roberts, who lives in the Glenridge neighborhood. “I appreciate the town updating the noise ordinance so that it applies to all zoning designations,” said Roberts. “The construction of the North Commerce Center off of Bailey Road has been quite disruptive, with lights and trucks operating as early as 2 am, so this amendment will be a welcome change,” he said.

The existing ordinance allowed contractors to request deviations from permitted construction hours—7 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 pm on Sunday, subject to approval by the Town Manager. This provision is unchanged in the new regulations.