Hanover High gets noise exemption

Hanover High School football fans can roar, bang drums, blow whistles and make noise without limit under a permit granted last night by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors.

Neighbors had complained that the noise from events at the school on U.S. 301 exceeded allowable limits and reached dangerous levels during marching band practice and football games.

On the other hand, "cheering crowds and marching bands is a recipe for a wonderful Friday night in Hanover County," said school Principal George Sadler.

The school has spent $44,000 on modifications since neighbors expressed concerns about noise, Sadler said. Speakers for the public-address system were repositioned, the volume was decreased and band practice was moved farther away from residences, he said.

Athletic events also will begin at 7 p.m. so that they will end earlier.

"Tonight, I am asking for permission to play football, for Hanover to have the same rights as any other high school in the county," Sadler said.

Supervisors voted unanimously to create an exception to the county noise ordinance for parades and events, functions or activities at places of public assembly and issue a conditional-use permit for events at Hanover High School.

The permit was drafted to limit the exception to 12 events a year, but that limit was removed by amendment. Events will be required to end by 11:30 p.m.

Brandy Salmons, who lives a quarter-mile from the school, said a noise study at adjacent properties had identified dangerous peaks in sound caused by the public-address system, air horns and whistles.

John Ostergren, a licensed professional engineer who recorded noise levels at the neighboring house Oct. 3, said he calculated that noise levels at the bleachers would have exceeded 100 decibels and possibly exceeded the federal limit of 115 decibels.

In other business, the supervisors approved rezoning to allow a larger retail presence for Green Top Sporting Goods just north of Virginia Center Commons. The property owner, Hopkins Properties LLC, would be allowed to construct a retail shopping center that includes Green Top as one of the anchors.

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .