Photo by Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
Homes that back up to Earl Road have little to no buffers to mitigate sound. Mayor Rick Chapman said he had spoken to the police and the village attorney, looking for solutions to help homeowners where sound has become an issue.
By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
Shorewood’s mayor says he’s looking out for neighbors whose homes border an industrial corridor.
On June 12, Mayor Rick Chapman told members of the village board that he had talked to the police and the village attorney to see if there was anything the village could do about a noisy situation along Earl Road.
“I’ve requested that they look into the Earl Road industrial park problem, butting up against residents, especially to the west,” Chapman said. “The east has a lot of buffering on it from the industrial side, but the west doesn’t. We need to gather all the information we can, legally, to figure out if there’s any way [to do anything]. This is a quality of life issue, and these people are suffering, especially in the immediate vicinity of a brand new business.”
Without naming any businesses, the mayor said that work being conducted along the industrial lane has become problematic, creating noise pollution for homes. While some in the neighborhood have decent sound barriers, the mayor noted that homes on Ravinia Drive which back up businesses on Earl Road have little to no noise mitigation.
Chapman said he hopes by the next village board meeting there will be a recommendation on how to proceed. The mayor also noted that there may be little if anything the village can do.
“I hope that’s not the answer, I hope that we can find something to help these people out,” Chapman said. “I was over there tonight, and they were whacking away with an impact gun out back of the business, and that was six o’clock tonight. I don’t think any of us would like to live in that condition.”
Chapman also warned against blaming homeowners for moving close to an industrial park.
“There’s always that can be said, well, they shouldn’t have bought there. Well, that business wasn’t running there when these people bought along that strip,” Chapman said. “I’m hoping that we can find something legally, or if anybody has any ideas, please present them.”
Chapman asked board members to take a look at the situation for themselves for further discussion and possible action.