WENDELL - Yes, Harvey Parrish can hear you now. In fact, he heard you five blocks ago.

The Wendell resident said Thursday that the city's lack of an ordinance limiting noise disruptions is being taken advantage of by city motorists with loud stereo systems.

During Thursday's council meeting Parrish requested the city create an ordinance to keep people from blaring their car stereos.

"Sometimes, I can hear the music as far as five blocks away, even over my TV," Parrish told the Times-News. "Currently, the only thing one can do is cite people themselves. The cops here can't do anything."

Parrish delivered a petition with several residents' signatures who want the city to get a handle on overly-loud situations.

"We want your help in curbing noise to where it doesn't disturb people in their homes," Parrish said.

Wendell Mayor Rick Cowen told Parrish it isn't that simple. By state law, Cowen said, an officer can't ticket someone for an infraction they don't witness first-hand.

"You, as the complaining witness must go to court," Cowen said.

While the council told Parrish they'd investigate the matter further, Councilman Jason Houser expressed concerns with how to fairly enforce noise control and how the city would deem some noise inappropriate while allowing other noise to go unchecked.

"My main concern â€- is that sometimes you can hear the car itself from blocks away," he said.

In other council news, Earl Fitzpatrick, with the city's chamber of commerce, requested a special permit to allow for the set-up of a beer and wine garden in City Park during the planned Country Music Festival in September.

Under city code, no alcohol is allowed in the park, but Fitzpatrick said beer and wine sales during the festival would help generate income for the chamber.

He said the garden would be restricted to the tennis courts and no one would be allowed to leave the area with alcoholic beverages in-hand.

"We would monitor and keep a careful eye on it," Fitzpatrick said.

The council made no decision during the meeting but said it would take the request under consideration.

Blair Koch may be reached at 208-543-0910 or blairkoch@gmail.com.