Following a noisy last year in Deep Ellum, a Noise Task Force has formed to alleviate an increase in complaints. The rise in noise complaints appears to be due to venues in the area and their failure to comply with existing ordinances.
The Noise Task Force has been brought in since spring 2021. In a new report, the task force has made a number of recommendations that include breaking the area up into tiers, as shared by Dallas Culture Maps. In addition to recommendations for reducing the noise, the online report also breaks down months of research and the sources of the reported noise.
“This Noise Task Force worked diligently to really understand the needs of all stakeholders who come to be a part of this community, and we are proud to present a set of recommendations that will allow Deep Ellum businesses and residents to continue to grow and thrive together,” said Stephanie Keller Hudiburg, Executive Director of The Deep Ellum Foundation.
Some of the most pertinent recommendations made by the Noise Task Force include making adjustments to the Department of Code Compliance Services’ practices as well as educating the public on noise levels and violations. The task force also believes expanding band loading zones and implementing different tiers with a maximum noise level could help.
The tiers are broken into three levels, as laid out in the report:
Tier 1 will allow the core of the Deep Ellum entertainment district to have higher noise levels up to 92 decibels until 12 p. m. weekdays and 2 a. m. on weekends.
Tier 2 will allow the historic Deep Ellum commercial and entertainment corridor to have noise levels up to 78 decibels until 10 p. m. on weekdays and 12 p. m. on weekends.
All other areas within the Deep Ellum Cultural District will allow noise levels in accordance with existing City of Dallas noise ordinances.
It is unclear whether Deep Ellum will implement any or all of the recommendations.