In tense meeting, Ford Amphitheater developer recommits to additional noise mitigation
Christian Murdock, the gazette
In an at-times-tense City Council meeting that saw the Colorado Springs community split in their support for the new Ford Amphitheater, developer JW Roth recommitted Tuesday to addressing noise levels emanating from the venue that some neighbors say have disrupted their daily lives.
“I’m here to build bridges. I’m here to say I’m willing to make compromises and work my tail off to try to make it better for those who are feeling the effects,” Roth said. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of VENU, the company formerly known as Notes Live that built the 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheater on the city’s north side.
Ford Amphitheater developers agree to additional sound mitigation measures
More than 50 people spoke for nearly three hours Tuesday, most in support of the facility. They described the “world-class” Ford Amphitheater as an economic and cultural boon for Colorado Springs, attracting concertgoers from across the country and allowing local residents to enjoy concerts in their hometown.
“I believe it is important to listen and respect the voices of all the people who live in our city, but the vast majority of citizens, myself included, are grateful to JW Roth …,” Erik Hillman said. ” I’m excited to invest my dollars and spend them locally, as opposed to in other cities or states.”
Some supporters who live nearby said they could not hear noise from the venue during events; others said they could, but it was not bothersome.
Ford Amphitheater developer JW Roth (back to camera) answers questions from Colorado Springs City Council member Dave Donelson during the public comments session of the City Council meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
In the week leading up to the meeting, Roth encouraged supporters on social media and through emails and digital newsletters to attend and share with the council their experiences at the new facility.
Two weeks ago, more than two dozen residents testified that sound levels from the venue are excessive and have interrupted their sleep, quality of life, and have negatively impacted their property values.
About 10 people who spoke Tuesday reiterated those complaints and demanded to know why the city issued a noise-hardship permit for the Ford Amphitheater that allows it to exceed city noise limits.
Sound reporting completed by VENU and an independent investigation by the city shows the amphitheater has complied with city-approved noise limits and mitigation requirements since it opened Aug. 9, Roth repeated Tuesday. He wants to improve the amphitheater experience for visitors and neighbors living nearby, he said.
When some members protested from the audience that they have recorded decibel levels at their homes that exceed residential limits during concerts, Roth offered to meet with them privately.
In a brief spat that saw Roth and Councilman Dave Donelson accuse each other of “grandstanding,” Donelson repeated his suggestion that the city install noise monitors outside the amphitheater to independently supervise decibel levels.
If a concert is happening, and the city records noise in residential areas that exceeds baseline sound levels when a concert is not ongoing, developers should fix that, Donelson said.
“People are saying … they simply want peace and quiet in their homes,” he said.
On Aug. 28, VENU and the city jointly announced that developers agreed to implement additional noise mitigation measures at the amphitheater after hearing resident concerns.
Roth repeated Tuesday that developers review performance data weekly and use it to adjust equipment like speakers to better contain noise inside the venue and reduce sound transmission outside.
Among other steps, developers have also begun further sound-containment research and could implement more physical mitigation strategies to contain noise levels. Roth said he believes most of the sound is escaping the venue from its north side.
A city spokeswoman previously said other physical mitigation efforts could include additional walls or the use of felt; VENU has not committed yet to specific physical mitigation options, because they must first review performance data.
Roth also said Tuesday he may decide to end concerts earlier on Sundays during the next season.
Resident Janine Sledz asked Roth why Colorado Springs issued the amphitheater a noise-hardship permit that extends through October.
Roth said the permit was necessary because a developer sound study determined a sole apartment complex south of the venue could experience noise levels above city limits — or, above 50 decibels in residential areas between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
All residents at the apartment complex as well as businesses nearby have signed documents stating they are aware of the venue’s proximity and have waived their rights to complain about sound levels coming from the amphitheater, Roth said.
Ford Amphitheater appeal hearing: Attorneys argue Colorado Springs ignored state noise law
On Oct. 5, VENU is hosting an open house inside the amphitheater, located at 95 Spectrum Loop. Roth said he hopes then to share the steps developers have taken to further contain sound, as well as update residents on other physical mitigation efforts.
Gates open at 3 p.m. for the open house. Residents can submit their questions and RSVP online at showclix.com/event/neighborhoodopenhouse105. Live questions won’t be answered at the event. People can submit their questions online by Sept. 26.
Councilwoman Nancy Henjum said residents have legitimate complaints about sound levels coming from the venue but stressed that developers need time to implement more mitigation measures.
“What we have an opportunity here to do is grow as a community, and do it in a way where everybody’s needs can be met,” she said.
In tense meeting, Ford Amphitheater developer recommits to additional noise mitigation
In an at-times-tense City Council meeting that saw the Colorado Springs community split in their support for the new Ford Amphitheater, developer JW Roth recommitted Tuesday to addressing noise levels emanating from the venue that some neighbors say have disrupted their daily lives.
“I’m here to build bridges. I’m here to say I’m willing to make compromises and work my tail off to try to make it better for those who are feeling the effects,” Roth said. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of VENU, the company formerly known as Notes Live that built the 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheater on the city’s north side.
More than 50 people spoke for nearly three hours Tuesday, most in support of the facility. They described the “world-class” Ford Amphitheater as an economic and cultural boon for Colorado Springs, attracting concertgoers from across the country and allowing local residents to enjoy concerts in their hometown.
“I believe it is important to listen and respect the voices of all the people who live in our city, but the vast majority of citizens, myself included, are grateful to JW Roth …,” Erik Hillman said. ” I’m excited to invest my dollars and spend them locally, as opposed to in other cities or states.”
Some supporters who live nearby said they could not hear noise from the venue during events; others said they could, but it was not bothersome.
In the week leading up to the meeting, Roth encouraged supporters on social media and through emails and digital newsletters to attend and share with the council their experiences at the new facility.
Two weeks ago, more than two dozen residents testified that sound levels from the venue are excessive and have interrupted their sleep, quality of life, and have negatively impacted their property values.
About 10 people who spoke Tuesday reiterated those complaints and demanded to know why the city issued a noise-hardship permit for the Ford Amphitheater that allows it to exceed city noise limits.
Sound reporting completed by VENU and an independent investigation by the city shows the amphitheater has complied with city-approved noise limits and mitigation requirements since it opened Aug. 9, Roth repeated Tuesday. He wants to improve the amphitheater experience for visitors and neighbors living nearby, he said.
When some members protested from the audience that they have recorded decibel levels at their homes that exceed residential limits during concerts, Roth offered to meet with them privately.
In a brief spat that saw Roth and Councilman Dave Donelson accuse each other of “grandstanding,” Donelson repeated his suggestion that the city install noise monitors outside the amphitheater to independently supervise decibel levels.
If a concert is happening, and the city records noise in residential areas that exceeds baseline sound levels when a concert is not ongoing, developers should fix that, Donelson said.
“People are saying … they simply want peace and quiet in their homes,” he said.
On Aug. 28, VENU and the city jointly announced that developers agreed to implement additional noise mitigation measures at the amphitheater after hearing resident concerns.
Roth repeated Tuesday that developers review performance data weekly and use it to adjust equipment like speakers to better contain noise inside the venue and reduce sound transmission outside.
Among other steps, developers have also begun further sound-containment research and could implement more physical mitigation strategies to contain noise levels. Roth said he believes most of the sound is escaping the venue from its north side.
A city spokeswoman previously said other physical mitigation efforts could include additional walls or the use of felt; VENU has not committed yet to specific physical mitigation options, because they must first review performance data.
Roth also said Tuesday he may decide to end concerts earlier on Sundays during the next season.
Resident Janine Sledz asked Roth why Colorado Springs issued the amphitheater a noise-hardship permit that extends through October.
Roth said the permit was necessary because a developer sound study determined a sole apartment complex south of the venue could experience noise levels above city limits — or, above 50 decibels in residential areas between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
All residents at the apartment complex as well as businesses nearby have signed documents stating they are aware of the venue’s proximity and have waived their rights to complain about sound levels coming from the amphitheater, Roth said.
On Oct. 5, VENU is hosting an open house inside the amphitheater, located at 95 Spectrum Loop. Roth said he hopes then to share the steps developers have taken to further contain sound, as well as update residents on other physical mitigation efforts.
Gates open at 3 p.m. for the open house. Residents can submit their questions and RSVP online at showclix.com/event/neighborhoodopenhouse105. Live questions won’t be answered at the event. People can submit their questions online by Sept. 26.
Councilwoman Nancy Henjum said residents have legitimate complaints about sound levels coming from the venue but stressed that developers need time to implement more mitigation measures.
“What we have an opportunity here to do is grow as a community, and do it in a way where everybody’s needs can be met,” she said.
