The popular outdoor performance series at Morris, Ct.’s South Farms will end on Feb. 1, as the Morris Planning and Zoning Commission voted to issue a cease-and-desist order to the venue. The process was detailed in a report in the Hartford Courant.
Upcoming shows scheduled at the venue, which include performances by Warren Haynes, moe., Goose and Grace Potter, will go on as planned.
The venue previously was used to host weddings and other similar events, but as the COVID-19 environment began to allow for socially distanced shows, the venue shifted to hosting such shows.
According to the article in the Courant, “the commission… determined that South Farms “does not qualify to be reconfigured based on Executive Order 7MM.” Because [Morris zoning enforcement officer Tony] Adili granted the permit in the first place — mistakenly, it now says — the commission will allow the temporary permit to expire on Feb. 1 rather than take immediate action, which could expose the town to a lawsuit.”
The article continued: “Commissioner David Wiig said he’s received more than 50 emails both for and against the concert series — mostly supportive — but argued that the way South Farms is conducting business goes against what was approved in the executive order.”
“We needed to put it on record and make it clear to the South Farms and to the neighbors that the board recognizes that this is not an acceptable use under normal zoning regulations,” Wiig explained to the Courant. “[South Farms] does have concerts, but [owner Ben Paletsky’s] primary use, as he’s stated several times, is a wedding venue. Therefore, the music to me was accessory to that use, whereas now it’s become the primary use. Outdoor performances are not a permitted use in any zone in Morris.”
“Reflecting the long-simmering tension between Yankee and yuppie present in Litchfield County, the dispute has some residents crying not-in-my-backyard,” the article concluded. “Others see the potential for a much-needed economic shot in the arm in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.”
11 Comments comments associated with this post
D of KC
October 13, 2020 at 10:12 amProtesting? We are out to SUPPORT our Nation, our Police and our Military. Wake up! America is sick a nd tired of the Democrat/George Soros led Violence! That is why we are having parades every weekend, to celebrate our Freedoms and the fact that we love our country!!! Get on board or Bend Over for Socialism!!! Your choice….
The President 2024
October 14, 2020 at 8:09 pmD of KC, what does that stand for? Douchebag of Kansas City
The President 2024
October 12, 2020 at 7:07 pmYour all wrong. If you read more in depth on the article, it was the people that lived around the venue that complained about the noise. Once they started complaining that was the end of it. They basically found a reason to shut it down. If no one complained about it, everything would still be fine. It’s funny how we are in a pandemic, Donald Trump in the news 24/7, people protesting all over America, and can’t even enjoy a safely organized concert for Christ sakes. People need to get a life…nothing wrong letting loose to forget about the bullshit going on all over the world.
D of KC
October 12, 2020 at 3:38 pmGo Trump, GO USA!!! Gotta love that live music!!!
Greta Ain’t No Flower Child
October 12, 2020 at 4:34 pmYa just keep proving how dumb Trump supporters are. Six months w/o live shows bc of a failed national pandemic response and you’re lined up with the other idiots begging for four more years. The country has already lost its dignity and respect on the world stage and here you are asking that the trend continues until we have driven our talent pool away as well. Absolute ignorance.
Brian Pirlo
October 12, 2020 at 5:17 pmRemember that time PedoJoe screamed RACISM because Trump shut down all flights from China?…Trump2020
The Jerk
October 12, 2020 at 9:50 am4 More Years!
Ted Furthur
October 9, 2020 at 11:13 pmPolitics & Voting in Litchfield, Connecticut
The Political Climate in Litchfield, CT is Leaning conservative.
Litchfield County, CT is Leaning conservative. In Litchfield County, CT 40.8% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 54.4% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 4.7% voted Independent.
Connecticut the “Un-constitutional state”
October 9, 2020 at 10:26 pmWrong Teddy… NOT ONE elected Republican in the entire state of Connecticut… what else you got?
CJ
October 12, 2020 at 12:42 pmWrong CT Stater.
CT Senate – 22 Dems, 14 GOP
CT Assembly – 91 Dems, 60 GOP
What else you got
Ted Furthur
October 9, 2020 at 7:53 pmSuch bullshit. Guessing the town is run by a bunch of asshole republicans. Vote them out along with the orange clown