WALLINGFORD, CT (CelebrityAccess) — Live Nation has threatened to close the The Toyota Oakdale Theatre if the cease-and-desist letter issued against the promoter is not lifted.
In an emailed letter sent by Live Nation's Jim Koplik sent to the Town Council, Koplik said:
“Procedure alone will dictate the end of the Oakdale, the loss of its benefits to the town and the end of our employment of Wallingford residents. If and when the Cease & Desist Order is upheld and enforced, Oakdale will close and we will not reopen as we will not be able to book future acts if closed by the Town. Please make no mistake that the closure is an unintended, unavoidable, and unfortunate result.”
Live Nation was hit with the cease-and-desist letter in December 2014 by Wallingford town planner Kacie Costello for violating their special permit. The zoning permit for the venue stipulated that a dome area of the venue was to be used as a lobby, but had been used by Live Nation for concerts. The special permit also stipulates that there be no noise from the venue, which has been the focus of noise complaints from neighbors.
Live Nation has filed an application to modify its special permit to allow for shows and events under the dome and to drop the "no noise" provision.
Koplik also said that Live Nation has undertaken steps to reduce noise from the venue, including hiring structural experts, sound and traffic engineers and implementing amplification rules at the venue. They also installed sound dampening upgrades at the venue and implemented a show curfew, Koplik's letter said.
The town's Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hearing May 27 to consider the application. – Staff Writers
