Liquor Control Board sets hearing for noise exemption in East Deer

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will hold a hearing next week on a proposal that, if approved, would allow East Deer to enforce its own noise regulations, and not the state’s.

The Wednesday hearing before the LCB will give the public a chance to comment on a proposal from East Deer to exempt it from the board’s noise ordinance as it relates to amplified music. The move would allow the township to enforce regulations it approved in June.

East Deer established its noise ordinance, in part, due to Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s plans to build an outdoor amphitheater to host live concerts, officials said.

Rachel Semelbauer, marketing coordinator for Pittsburgh Brewing Co., said the brewery aims to start having concerts at the amphitheater next summer. They are eyeing a June 29 opening day, with mostly Pittsburgh-based artists, she said.

The amphitheater would be located on the back side of the property, to the right of the distillery, facing the Allegheny River.

East Deer adopted its noise ordinance in June with the intent to prevent excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise within the township for the well-being of its residents.

The noise ordinance allows for outdoor events but only if the organizers give at least a week’s notice, and the event ends before midnight. Violators will be subject to fines.

The township commissioners announced their intention to seek the LCB exemption Aug. 3.

Elizabeth Brassell, the LCB’s deputy executive director, said under the liquor code, municipalities can seek the noise exemption for all liquor license holders within an area. Before a municipality submits its petition to the board, it needs to adopt its own noise ordinance and a resolution confirming support of the petition.

The petition, itself, is not made public, Brassell said.

The LCB has 60 days from when the petition was received to either approve or deny the proposal, she said.

Last year, the LCB approved 14 petitions. This year, the board has approved six and is considering two more — one of which is East Deer’s, Brassell said.

“This is a standard procedure for municipalities that have a concert venue,” said East Deer Commissioner Tony Taliani.

He said the township requested the exemption so that it wouldn’t be considered a “nuisance” for the brewery to host concerts.

He said noise tests have been conducted and meet the township’s rules.

“There’s no negative aspects for the township,” Taliani said. “It’s going to be good for the venue to help them out.”

Semelbauer said East Deer has been good to work with. She said the brewery is looking forward to opening up the amphitheater.

“I think it’s going to bring a lot of revenue and more positivity toward the area,” she said.