THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
An amphitheater that would attract national entertainment and help extend the city's tourist season was approved unanimously Wednesday by the Planning Commission.
The commission voted 10-0 after hearing from nearly 30 people, who split evenly on the issue.
Supporters said the $15 million facility will help bring in tourists, provide another reason for large companies to locate here, and add another amenity to their city.
Opponents - most of whom live near the amphitheater site off Princess Anne and Landstown roads - complained that they had not been given enough opportunity to learn about the project and voice their concerns.
Their primary worry is that noise from the 20,000-seat arena would travel to their back doors, keeping their children awake and ruining their peaceful neighborhood.
Planning Commissioner Judith L. Rosenblatt, who made the motion to approve the amphitheater, described the project as ``the best thing that has happened to the city in a very long time.''
The project was supported by representatives from several groups - the Council of Civic Organizations, the Virginia Beach Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Vision, the Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police, the Hotel/Motel Association, the Resort Area Leadership Council and the Resort Area Advisory Commission.
Kempsville resident Carol Lehr said an amphitheater would have psychological benefits. ``An amphitheater is what we need to bring life back into the city,'' said Lehr, a 25-year Beach resident.
But several residents of the Salem Lakes neighborhood, the border of which is just 2,000 feet from the proposed amphitheater, did not agree. They asked the Planning Commission to delay rezoning the property until they had more time to investigate the city's plans.
Olivia C. Borgerding said she and her husband had collected more than 100 signatures last weekend on a petition asking for a delay.
``When I first heard about (the amphitheater), I thought, what a neat thing for Virginia Beach,'' Borgerding told the commission. ``But when I realized it was going to be 2,200 feet from my back door, I was very concerned.''
In response to neighborhood concerns, Councilman W.W. Harrison Jr., who was not at the meeting but has led efforts to build the amphitheater, scheduled another public information session for the evening of March 22.
The city had held a similar session last Thursday, but many residents complained that they did not receive adequate notice of the meeting and did not realize its significance.
The new session will not be a formal hearing but an opportunity to find out more about amphitheater plans. The location had not been determined on Wednesday. For details about the meeting, call the city's Beachline at 427-3580, Ext. 430.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the amphitheater March 28. ILLUSTRATION: PROPOSED AMPHITHEATER
Map
KEN WRIGHT/STAFF
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION by CNB