Preston could review proposed rock festival site as a ‘stadium’

Preston — The town’s zoning regulations do not specifically allow a concert festival grounds in the resort commercial district, but the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday decided Foxwoods Resort Casino’s proposal to create the Revolution Rock Festival on an open field on Route 2 could be considered under the “arena or stadium” section of the regulations.

Foxwoods and Los Angeles-based concert promoter AEG Live have approached town officials requesting that a 41- acre field owned by the Mashantucket tribe be converted into a rock festival venue, with the first Revolution Rock Festival to be held Sept. 17.

A preliminary plan shows the main stage at the western end of the property, and some “premium” park-

ing at the east end. Most parking would be across Route 2 on three lots owned by the tribe.

“If successful, the festival producers look forward to the possibility of expanding to multiple days in 2017 and beyond,” the two-page proposal to the town stated.

The proposal calls for a oneday festival from noon to midnight, with 15 to 20 bands and about 18,000 to 25,000 attendees.

PZC members expressed consensus during their first discussion of the proposal Tuesday that the plan should be reviewed under a special exception permit as an arena or stadium.

The stadium definition is not limited to sports, Town Planner Kathy Warzecha said, and the commission could review the plan using a series of criteria.

The commission would have to hold a public hearing on the application and could consider issues such as traffic impact, noise and effect on the neighborhood, Warzecha said.

She said she contacted the state Department of Transportation and learned that the plan for parking and vehicle and pedestrian traffic would have to be approved by the state Traffic Administration.

PZC members Daniel Sperduto said the proposed rock festival could have an impact on traffic, but he said it also could be a benefit to nearby businesses and hotels. The Hilton Garden Inn is a short distance from the proposed venue.

“I like the concept personally,” Sperduto said.

“I do, too,” member Blaze Faillaci said.

Commission members said they first want to hear from neighbors at a public hearing before deciding whether to approve the plan and what conditions would be necessary.

PZC members said they might want to use the guidelines for concerts at Strawberry Park campground — which end at 11: 15 p. m. on weekends — as the precedent.

Warzecha said the commission also could have a say in the site plan, including placement of stages, noise barriers, buffers and design.

Commissioner Robert York questioned whether the structures proposed would be permanent, which would bring in design standards in the zoning regulations.

First Selectman Robert Congdon, who did not attend Tuesday’s PZC meeting, said earlier Tuesday that he has invited Foxwoods and AEG officials to meet with the Board of Selectmen and other town officials soon.

At last week’s selectmen meeting, town officials expressed concern that there would not be enough time to review logistical requirements, such as police, fire and ambulance coverage and traffic, in time for the Sept. 17 proposed first festival.

The Board of Selectmen is reviewing the proposal under the town’s special events ordinance, which also requires that the application be published and time be allowed for neighbors’ comments.