In a proactive measure, the Sumner City Council passed an ordinance Jan. 3 which requires a sound barrier to be constructed along with any expansion of automobile dealerships.

There are no definitive plans for expansion yet, said Eric Mendenhall, associate planner for the city, and any barrier won’t be built until expansion occurs.

Sumner’s planning commission has recommended expansion under this condition of an 8-foot-high sound barrier and tree plantings to act as a buffer between the dealerships and residential areas.

The ordinance amends the city’s municipal code, adding previously existing automotive and motorized vehicle businesses as a permitted use in high density residential and medium density residential zones. It states the sound barrier must be a solid commercial grade masonry wall, a wood fence, or equivalent. In addition to dampening sound from auto repairs, it is to prevent light from shining from the businesses onto residential properties.

Any public address systems on the commercial properties must be compliant with the city’s noise requirements.

A public hearing preceded the ordinance’s adoption and Jerry Yoder from Sunset Chevrolet said he welcomes anyone from the public with any concerns about noise to speak with him and he will try to find a solution.