Jen Todd

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Metro Parks and Recreation and Live Nation have reached an agreement to control noise levels at Ascend Amphitheater after hearing complaints from East Nashville residents.

"This is a regrettable, unintended consequence of the theater," Metro Parks director Tommy Lynch said during a community meeting Wednesday.

The agreement, which was made on Dec. 1, is divided into time limits and maximum decibel levels of the concert.

Sound checks should not start before 3 p.m., concerts should not begin before 9 a.m. or go past 11 p.m. (certain delays may be permitted but cannot play past midnight), and the decibel level should not exceed 102 at the sound mixer and 98 at the furthest property line of the park.

Live Nation will put a system at the sound board to constantly monitor the decibel levels.

While artists bring their own sound equipment and sound mixer, Live Nation will begin placing the restrictions in the contract with upcoming artists.

Ascend Amphitheater's first season called a success

"We feel from the park side and the city side that Live Nation has been very responsible to the issues that we've brought to them based on the concerns the citizens have been bringing to us, either through calls to the parks department or the mayor's office," Lynch said.

Councilman Brett Withers, the mayor's office and the parks department all received noise complaints about certain concerts, such as Janet Jackson and Marilyn Manson.

"It can be maddening," said Kate Donohue, who lives off Ordway Place. She heard music from Jackson's concert outside her home. "You hear a bass sound when you put your head down, and then you put your head back up and you're like, wait, where is this sound coming from?"

Ascend Amphitheater hears noise complaints

Some community members wanted to make sure Metro Parks would closely monitor that the conditions would be followed through.

"I feel like we want Metro to protect us, not Live Nation to protect us," said Logan Key.

Lynch said Metro Parks representatives were present at several concerts, measuring decibel levels last year.

He also said this year, concerts will be more spread out, which "should be impactful in a meaningful way."

The amphitheater reopens in April.

Reach Jen Todd at jtodd1@tennessean.com and on Twitter @jentoddwrites.