WATERVILLE, Ohio — Waterville City Council voted 4-2 Monday night in favor of constructing an amphitheater, concluding a months-long debate over the controversial proposed entertainment venue.
The vote comes after council reached no decision on Oct. 24 at the end of a three-hour public hearing after Waterville Mayor Tim Pedro said there was too much information and testimony to make a decision the same night.
Council members Anthony Bruno, Barb Bruno, Todd Borowski and John Rozic voted for the amphitheater. Pedro and council member Mary Duncan voted against the amphitheater. Council member Rod Frey abstained from the vote.
The proposal is a partnership between Third Street Cigar Records and HB Concerts Inc. and HBC Management to develop the entertainment venue near South Pray Boulevard in Waterville.
The amphitheater has been controversial with residents and business owners in Waterville across five public meetings, including Monday's, since it was announced in early July.
Those opposing it have raised concerns about noise, traffic and safety, among other issues. But supporters have envisioned the new spot as a boon for the local economy and the great regional venue, ideally bringing back the music scene many remember from the glory days of the Toledo Sports Arena.
The amphitheater previously gained approval from the Waterville special planning committee in a 3-2 vote in mid-September.
WTOL 11 also gathered community questions and concerns regarding the amphitheater for HB Concerts Inc. and HBC Management President and CEO Hunter Brucks to answer.
The top questions included:
- a sound study and the noise an outdoor amphitheater would bring
- what events and music will be there
- if the community will be able to use it
- parking and traffic
Brucks said a sound study has been conducted by a third party and the developers have plans to minimize sound carrying and reduce traffic issues.
From the planning commission's approval of the permit, there are multiple conditions that project developers Brucks, Chris Campbell and John Henry have to abide by:
- Max capacity of 9,300 people
- General hours of operation with financial penalty for going over those times
- Management of flow of traffic
- Detailed site plan
- Additional lane of traffic to accommodate increased traffic
- Developers' public safety plan needs approval
- Set admission tax
- Limit on number of events