Portland City Council Monday night voted to require a 750-foot buffer between large performance hall venues, which, unless the decision is challenged, means the proposed Live Nation Portland Music Hall cannot be built in close proximity to Merrill Auditorium.
Portland City Council has voted to amend the zoning law to require a 750-foot buffer between large performance hall venues.
Unless the decision is challenged, Monday night's ruling means the proposed Live Nation Portland Music Hall cannot be built in close proximity to Merrill Auditorium.
The 3,300-seat, 66,000-square-foot Portland Music Hall project, proposed for the corner of Cumberland Avenue and Myrtle Street, has been debated for more than a year and stalled by two 180-day
retroactive moratoriums.
Controversy over proposal
Proponents of the music hall venture have said it would generate tax revenue and create jobs while adding vitality to Portland’s downtown.
The Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and many local business owners have expressed support for the project.
Opponents have argued that permitting such a large venue within less than a block of Merrill Auditorium would create traffic congestion and pedestrian safety issues and further strain parking for local residents.
Full house at City Council meeting
Both sides had their say Monday night during a marathon public hearing that drew a full house to Council chambers at Portland City Hall.
Close to 60 speakers made their case for or against the project, and while public safety was cited as a primary concern by opponents, Live Nation Entertainment Inc.’s (NYSE: LYV) partnership in the project was also a flashpoint.
Scarborough-based Mile Marker Investments, headed by Howard Goldenfarb and his son Todd Goldenfarb, is the project’s developer, in partnership with Live Nation.
The Goldenfarbs have maintained that the project meets all of the requirements of the city’s comprehensive plan. The city planning department has agreed, and the Portland Planning Board
in March voted not to recommend the adoption of an expanded buffer zone between large venues. Currently, the zoning code requires a buffer of just 100 feet.
The buffer proposal was brought forth by City Council member Wesley Pelletier, who represents District 2, and Pious Ali, councilor at large, in an effort to address constituents’ concerns over public safety and traffic congestion near the Music Hall site.
The Goldenfarbs have contended that the 750-foot buffer zone was designed specifically to kill their project.
Todd Goldenfarb did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
The new buffer zone requirement, as well as the termination of the extended moratorium on large venues — which the council also approved Monday night — will become effective May 27.
