A Community In South End Desperate To End The Constant Noise Coming From A Nearby Apartment Building

CHARLOTTE, NC. — A constant buzzing and humming noise never stops, says Lauren O’Brien. She lives in this townhouse community on Doggett Street in South End.

“I moved my bedroom to the back of the house because I’m losing sleep over this. The sound machine doesn’t help. We’re getting headaches over this, my dogs are going crazy. I can’t come outside anymore because I don’t wanna have the door open. Can’t open the windows on the nice day,” says O’Brien.

This noise is impacting dozens of residents. It’s coming from an exhaust pipe on the side of the Hawk Apartment building. Neighbors say it was installed in October. Neighbor Courtney Benjamin says she’s been in communication with Hawk General Management and hasn’t gotten anywhere.

“From a health standpoint, we are losing sleep over this. So that’s the main issue as well as headaches,” says Benjamin.

Noise complaints fall under disturbing the peace and according to CMPD’s crime mapping, there have been 21 reports since January 1st within a half-mile of Hawk Apartments. Neighbors tell WCCB the apartment complex had a team look at the pipe and said the current decibel level follows city code, but O’Brien and Benjamin don’t agree.

“Of course, we will have busy cars and things of that nature on the street. Totally understandable in a city. When something is 24/7, never shuts off, something of this decibel level it’s really starting to interfere with peoples lives and that’s where you cross the line.”