The Oakdale theater in town was busted with violations with their sound level outside the venue .
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/walli...r-alleged.html
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Meriden, CT Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Published: January 21, 2015 | Last Modified: January 23, 2015 04:02PM
By Eric Vo Record-Journal staff
WALLINGFORD — The town recently issued a cease-and-desist order to the Toyota Oakdale Theatre, saying the music venue is violating its permit by holding concerts in an area that was supposed to be used as a lobby. Live Nation Worldwide Inc. countered by filing an appeal and is expected to make its case at a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals next month.
The cease-and-desist order was issued last month, but the town detailed the Oakdale violations in a letter by Town Planner Kacie in July. The town says the theater is also violating its permit by exceeding noise levels and using an unapproved parking area. Corporation Counsel Janis Small said Wednesday that she expects the town to cite Oakdale for additional violations.
“Based upon a site visit ... this office has concluded that you are in violation of certain elements of your special permit and associated site plan,” Costello wrote in a July 17 letter. “Specifically, the violations that this office is aware of are as follows: you are holding events within the ‘dome’ ... There is noise that can be heard from outside of the building ... Your approved parking layout and circulation did not incorporate any ‘VIP Parking Area’ ...”
Joan Molloy, a Wallingford attorney representing Live Nation, said she believes Costello is misinterpreting Oakdale’s permit.
“We certainly recognize that the town has an issue with some of the operations at the Oakdale,” Molloy said Wednesday. “We’re trying to work with the town ... and understand their issues and coming up with a solution to them.”
The company agreed to various conditions in its special permit in 1989, Costello said Wednesday. The dome was only be used as a lobby, she said. Numerous concerts are held in the area, which is known as “The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre.” Two shows are scheduled in January and another five between February and June.
Costello also wrote that the Planning and Zoning Department received complaints from neighbors about noise and vibration levels and traffic. Small said the town has received complaints about noise levels at the Oakdale for years, but it became more prevalent when the venue began hosting concerts featuring electronic dance music.
“The town is looking into it. It’s a serious noise problem,” Small said. “At some point, the town needs to address it.”
Brooks Acoustics Corp., a Vernon-based company, measured sound levels at houses near the Oakdale in September. The study found that the music theater “did not exceed the sound emission limits of the Wallingford noise ordinance,” according to a Sept. 17 letter written by company president Bennett Brooks.
Despite the findings, the company developed “sound mitigation recommendations” for the main theater, including properly sealing a fire exit on the west side of the main theater; installing sub-woofer vibration isolation pads; and imposing a sound level limit during shows at the main theater.
The town also takes issue with a “VIP Parking Area” in the Oakdale lot, which is located closest to the South Turnpike Road exit. This lot has to be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, “as it could potentially impact the parking layout and circulation as approved,” Costello wrote.
The ZBA is expected to discuss the appeal at its February meeting. ZBA Chairman Michael Glidden said he couldn’t comment on the specific case, but added the process is different than a person seeking a special exception or zoning variance.
“We’re looking at the legality of the zoning (enforcement) officer,” Glidden said. “What kind of documents are there? What do our regulations say and is there testimony that needs to be presented?”
evo@record-journal.com (203) 317-2235 Twitter: @EricVoRJ
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My friend and his wife went on vaca for a week so I was taking care of their cat for a week at their condo which is right next to the venues parking lot.I said holy wow the band playing there is loud tonight.
They just have to sound proof the building better were the problem is.
"Fitz and the Tantrums," in the photo .I never heard of them .