The wave of teardown-rebuild projects working through Prairie Village isn’t just a concern to residents who worry new, larger houses are changing the character of their neighborhoods.
It’s also become a headache for homeowners hoping for a little peace and quiet.
In a presentation to the city council Monday, assistant city administrator Jamie Robichaud said staff have noted a growing trend of complaints from residents who say they’re hearing sawing, hammering and loud music from construction sites early in the morning.
As presently written, Prairie Village’s noise ordinances don’t allow construction to begin until 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Many contractors and subcontractors, however, don’t appear to be aware of that restriction, and will start work earlier in the morning.
Police Chief Tim Schwartzkopf and Robichaud said the city faces a difficult situation in enforcing the noise ordinances because they typically don’t receive complaint from residents about early start times until later in the day, after ordinance-violating work has stopped.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)