Dallas officials say they will tighten sound controls and change stage placement at Fair Park after the Breakaway Music Festival sent noise across parts of East Dallas earlier this month, disrupting some neighborhoods miles away.
In a memo to Mayor Eric Johnson and the City Council, Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins said Friday the city is imposing new requirements on concert operators, including decibel limits tied to fines, real-time sound monitoring and on-site code enforcement presence.
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The two-day festival, featuring electronic and hip-hop acts April 10-11, generated uneven impacts, with some nearby areas unaffected while others farther away reported significant disturbances.
Related: Weekend Fair Park music festival spurs noise complaints, rattles nerves of residents miles away
Officials said the main stage in a surface parking lot faced north with no structures to block or absorb sound, allowing it to travel and reflect.
Going forward:
Stages in that part of Fair Park must face inward toward the complex, using structures such as the Cotton Bowl and Coliseum to help contain sound.
Organizers will be required to conduct decibel readings throughout events, starting with sound checks, and notify code enforcement in advance.
Officials said the changes are intended to preserve live music events while preventing disruptions to nearby neighborhoods.