Request for Noise Enforcement and Highway Development Review

 

Date: March 30, 2026
To:
Mayor Brett Hales
Murray City Hall
10 East 4800 South, 3rd Floor
Murray, UT 84107

Phone: (801) 264-2600
Email: mayor@murray.utah.gov

 

And:
Murray City Council
c/o Jennifer Kennedy, Council Executive Director
10 East 4800 South
Murray, UT 84107

Phone: (801) 264-2603
Email: jkennedy@murray.utah.gov
Re: Request for Noise Ordinance Enforcement and Review of Highway Noise Abatement Coordination with UDOT – South Side of SR-173 between 781 W and 701 W

 

Dear Mayor Hales and Members of the Murray City Council:

We, the undersigned residents of properties adjacent to State Route 173 (SR-173) on the south side between approximately 781 West and 701 West in Murray, write to request the City's immediate assistance in enforcing Murray City noise ordinances and coordinating with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to address severe highway traffic noise impacts affecting our neighborhood.

 

Background
Until recently, our new-build properties were shielded from highway traffic noise by a mature stand of tall trees between our new homes and State Route 173 (SR-173). This past summer, without notifying residents, UDOT removed all of these trees and began plans for a sidewalk construction project a few months later. The tree removal was very selective and occurred only in front of newly built properties developed and sold by Ivory Homes, with several lots unsold. The trees removed were not in or near the path of the planned sidewalk, and all the trees along nearby segments of the highway and planned sidewalk areas remain intact.

 

Since the tree removal, we have experienced:

• Chronic racing and engine revving on the highway, particularly at night and
  weekends.
• Modified exhaust systems producing excessive noise levels exceeding 110
  decibels.
• Unbearable road noise that prevents some residents from using living spaces,
  patios, balconies, or sleeping in bedrooms facing the highway
• Loss of peaceful enjoyment of our homes, yards, and sidewalks.

See attached Exhibits A and B for before-and-after photographs of the tree removal along the south side of SR-173 between 781 W and 701 W, showing the resulting direct exposure to highway traffic.

We believe this situation warrants action under Murray City Code and requires coordination with UDOT under Murray's Highway Noise Abatement provisions.

 

Murray City Code Violations – Automobile Noise & Murray City Code § 8.16.010(D)

Murray City Code explicitly prohibits:

 

"To operate or permit the operation of a motor vehicle which causes excessive noise
levels as a result of a defective or modified exhaust system, or as a result of any
unnecessary rapid acceleration, deceleration, engine revving or tire squealing."

We are experiencing chronic violations of this provision on State Route 173 (SR-173), particularly during evening and overnight hours. Racing, engine revving, and tire squealing are regular occurrences that violate this ordinance.

Murray City Code § 8.16.010(A) – Disruption of Dwelling
The same section also prohibits:

 

"To make, cause or permit any excessive noise which annoys, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of any neighborhood or person residing therein which, under the circumstances, would disturb a person of average and reasonable sensitivities."

 

The combination of chronic traffic violations and the removal of natural sound barriers has created noise conditions that meet this standard. Some residents can no longer sleep in the north-facing rooms of their homes, use their balconies, or walk along the sidewalk without experiencing painful, dangerously loud noise from individuals driving vehicles with modified exhaust systems who frequently race and rev along this stretch of State Route 173, with noise level readings above 110 decibels lasting 3–8 seconds and occurring as often as every stop- light cycle at night. The noise has substantially diminished our quality of life and property value, as we were sold these homes with trees intact with Ivory Homes’ realtors specifically pointing out the trees help to keep any noise down. 

 

Murray's Highway Noise Abatement Responsibilities
Murray City Code includes Chapter 8.17: Highway Noise Abatement Measures, which recognizes the City's role in addressing highway-related noise impacts. Additionally, the City has provisions governing Development of Property Adjacent to State Highways, which contemplate coordination between Murray, UDOT, and developers when residential properties are built or modified near state highway corridors. 

 

Coordination with UDOT and Ivory Homes

The selective nature of the tree removal—affecting only properties adjacent to Ivory Homes developments—raises significant questions about the coordination between Murray City, UDOT, and Ivory Homes during the planning and approval process for these developments and the highway project.

We respectfully ask:

1. Did Murray City review and approve noise mitigation measures when Ivory Homes' developments adjacent to State Route 173 (SR-173) were permitted and constructed?
2. Was Murray City consulted by UDOT regarding the tree removal project and its potential impact on residential noise levels?
3. Did Murray City request or require any noise abatement measures (walls, berms, landscaping, setbacks) as a condition of approving Ivory Homes' developments adjacent to the state highway?
4. What role, if any, did Ivory Homes or its affiliates play in requesting or coordinating the tree removal with UDOT or Murray City? Given Ivory Development President Chris Gamvroulas's well-documented work with Utah municipalities and state officials on land-use policy, Suzanne Gamvroulas’ position as Ivory Homes’ HOA administrator, and Ivory Homes'; status as Utah's largest homebuilder, we believe it is reasonable to ask whether development considerations influenced the decision to remove trees selectively in front of Ivory Homes’ Murray Heights development, and when and to whom the tree removal was communicated to at Ivory Homes, since none of the existing residents and homebuyers were notified.

Request for Action
We respectfully request that Murray City:

1. Enforce Murray City Code § 8.16.010(D) – Automobile Noise
   • Direct Murray Police Department and Code Enforcement to increase patrols and enforcement on State Route 173 (SR-173) during evening hours, overnight hours, and weekends.
   • Focus enforcement on racing, engine revving, and modified exhaust systems.
   • Coordinate with Utah Highway Patrol if additional enforcement authority is needed on the state highway.
   • Provide regular updates to affected residents on enforcement actions taken.
2. Review Noise Mitigation Coordination with UDOT and Ivory Homes
   • Provide copies of any correspondence, meeting minutes, or planning documents
     related to:
     • Noise abatement or mitigation for Ivory Homes developments adjacent to State Route 173 (SR-173)
     • UDOT's sidewalk construction and tree removal project
     • Coordination between Murray City, UDOT, and Ivory Homes regarding highway-adjacent development, including any disclosure made to Ivory Homes regarding tree removal which were not communicated to residents or disclosed to potential homebuyers.
   • Clarify what noise mitigation measures (if any) were required or requested by Murray City when Ivory Homes' developments were approved.
   • Explain why selective tree removal affecting only Ivory properties was approved or allowed to proceed without apparent noise mitigation or notice to residents.
3. Coordinate with UDOT on Noise Abatement Under Chapter 8.17
   • Formally request that UDOT conduct a traffic noise impact analysis for our neighborhood under 23 CFR Part 772 and Utah Administrative Code R930-3.
   • Advocate on behalf of affected residents for noise abatement measures (walls, berms, vegetation replacement, quiet pavement).
   • Ensure that Murray's interests and residents' rights are represented in any UDOT noise abatement decision-making process, including resident balloting.
4. Hold a Public Meeting
   • Schedule a public meeting with affected residents, Murray City staff, UDOT representatives, and appropriate City Council members to discuss:
     • Current noise conditions and enforcement options
     • UDOT's noise abatement policies and how they apply to our neighborhood
     • Murray's role in coordinating highway noise mitigation with UDOT
     • Potential solutions, including enforcement, abatement measures, and vegetation replacement

Conclusion
We are Murray residents who purchased our homes in good faith, relying on the natural sound barriers that made living near a highway tolerable, as advertised by Ivory Homes. The selective removal of those barriers—affecting only properties adjacent to Ivory Homes developments without notice or input from our community —has created an unreasonable and unbearable living environment, directly impacting 22 households, and impaired the safe and serene use of our northern sidewalk path for all 30+ households of Murray Heights. We ask that Murray City use its authority under City Code to enforce automobile noise violations, review the coordination and decision-making process that led to the tree removal, and work with UDOT to ensure appropriate noise abatement measures are implemented.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and request a response within 30 days.
Please direct all correspondence to:

Primary Contact:
Justin Utley
728 W Signal Hill Drive, Murray, UT 84123
(646) 984-8884 • justin.j.utley@gmail.com