Log in
Willow Park

Residents voice concerns about Ice House volume

City looking for resolution

Posted

 

 

Going out to a concert can be exciting. However, when the concert comes to you, not always so much.

Especially if, as several residents of Willow Park have said, they don’t want to hear live music coming into their house — even if they didn’t have to buy a ticket. They say they are paying a higher price, a lack of peace and quiet.

At the March 8 meeting of the Willow Park City Council, a few residents took to the podium to voice their concerns about the noise level from the live music being played at the Parker County Ice House.

Chad Dodson said he actually likes the music being played, but it’s not having a volume control that he has a problem with.

“When I hear it in my own house and sing karaoke with them, it’s no fun,” he said.

“Please know that I am for responsible economic development, 100 percent for that — and I love live music. I’ve been to probably hundreds of live shows,” said Hope Olsen. “But really, just not at the expense of us residents. It kinda feels like a violation of privacy in our home. It really feels helpless when there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I would just encourage the council to continue investigating this, passing ordinances if needed. And I also encourage the council to inform the public of what is going on.”

Willow Park Communications and Marketing Director Rosalee Hoffman said the city has been looking into the issue ever since officials were first made aware of the citizen concerns back in fall of 2021.

“We attempted at the time to form a working group with city staff, Ice House management, and a citizen, but the citizen we invited to participate did not show up for the meeting,” Hoffman said. “After the latest incident, we are re-forming that working group with a few other citizens participating.

“We hope to be able to arrive at a consensus that will make for good neighbors all around. We value our citizens bringing us their input on this issue and appreciate their support as we work towards a resolution.”

Olsen said she called the Parker County Sheriff’s Department and was advised to do exactly what she did, come speak at a city council meeting. While she did not do so right away, she said she watched the next meeting online after her initial complaint in the fall. She was at first encouraged by a representative from the Ice House coming before council.

“I watched the manager/owner/person come and talk about being good stewards of the community. He understood that there was a noise problem, that they were going to address it,” she said. “Fast forward to Wednesday (March 2), Texas Independence Night. It was so loud I could hear the words in my house.”

Efforts to reach the Ice House for their response to complaints were unsuccessful as of deadline for this article.

“If they were here to speak after me, I’m sure they’d spin it in a positive way,” said Dodson, noting that, “I can’t even listen to my TV.”

Dodson reminded the council that he brought the issue up last year. He said he was also told by a law officer that the noise ordinance only applies to residents and that he should go to city hall, which he did.

“The next day I followed up in person at city hall to make my complaints about the loud music. They were helpful, and I appreciate that,” he said, adding that he also spoke with City Administrator Bryan Grimes.

“The city council is responsible for keeping loud music contained,” Dodson continued. “The city council’s responsibility is also to restore peace and maintain the peace within a community, the peace which has very much been disrupted by the Ice House.”

Travis Brandon Reeves said he believes the noise level from the Ice House could even have an effect on home values.

“When word gets out that there are businesses that are disrupting our daily lives — as this gentleman (Dodson) said, singing karaoke in our homes…” he began. “My son is with me. He could not sleep on a school night at 9 o’clock, my daughter either. If we’re trying to build greatness in our schools, how are our kids supposed to function if they can’t get adequate sleep?”

Reeves suggested the problem could be resolved with some concessions.

“I know that community is important, that’s why we’re here, whether that’s ordinances, whether that’s concessions from the businesses that are coming, the businesses that are here, that all needs to be considered,” he said. “And it needs to be considered for this community, because this community was here before all of it.”

The evening ended with the council agreeing to continue discussion at the March 22 meeting, taking a closer look at the city’s noise ordinance.

“I think it would be helpful for everyone to review what is currently in place,” said Place 5 Councilman Nathan Crummel, suggesting that they look at perhaps three options for proceeding, along with studying enforcement more.

Grimes stressed he does not want a repeat of the latest noise incident, but added that, “We can’t wave a magic wand and on March 22 it all goes away. It’s going to be a process.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here