Las Vegas Sphere to reduce exosphere noise after resident complaints

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — As the Las Vegas Sphere gears up to host its first live sporting event this weekend, many locals have raised concerns over the volume surrounding the exosphere’s latest outdoor audio enhancement.

“The sound has violated the client's constitutional rights as well as his ability to quietly use his property.” said an attorney representing a concerned homeowner.

In a recent Clark County Zoning Commission meeting, Las Vegas residents and Sphere representatives discussed various opinions surrounding a compromise over the exosphere’s audio.

“I love the visual it's added to the area we are so excited about the sphere that we purchased another condo at the Meridian to rent, but we are concerned about it bringing sound because it is a residential area,” said one Las Vegas Resident.

While some share their opposition, other residents say the attraction brings a unique twist to the city.

“I think that adding an audio aspect to the sphere is a great immersive experience I have been by it recently and I have heard it, it doesn’t sound too loud it sounds pretty decent when you are next to it,” said another Las Vegas Resident who works near the Sphere.

Hoping to find a solution, sphere representatives offered several measures to help keep the noise at bay.

“These are additional compromises that were made, some of them were made at the town board and some of them after, but that we are all in agreement with. One allowance for greater noise will be limited to no more than 12 days a year, the increase in noise levels on those dates will be limited to a frequency no greater than 85 decibels measured at the sphere’s property line,” said Las Vegas Attorney, David Brown.

Sphere officials also say a notice will be given to residents two weeks in advance notifying them of such events, and also say that noise will be shut off by 11:30 at night except for New Year's Eve celebrations which will be extended to 1 a.m.

“I think we have come up with a reasonable solution but it is also subject to a one-year review. There are going to be 12 events and a year from now if there is a problem we can come forward, and they won't get another 12 months but we would also try to work in it,” said Clark County Commission Chairman, Tick Segerblom.