A proposed zoning amendment passed unaltered through the public hearing process, and is ready for special Town Meeting in Mason.
The amendment, proposed by the Select Board, would allow seasonal outdoor entertainment by special exception in the GRAF district, which encompasses most of Mason. The amendment itself carries some restrictions, including that there could be no more than three events per week, and that the events could go no later than 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
More than 50 people were present during the town’s public hearing on the ordinance, many holding small, homemade signs proclaiming “Save the Range,” decorated with drawings of ice cream cones and golf clubs.
Nicole and Marty Ruggiero, who own and run Marty’s Driving Range are the authors of the article, though it was put forward by the Select Board.
The father and daughter have been attempting to reinstate a summer concert series that has been a big part of the range for several years.
Most of the people who attended Wednesday’s public hearing spoke in favor of allowing the amendment, saying that they enjoyed the concerts and Cruise Nights at the range and that the business was good for town.
“I know that people like the quiet and that’s why they move here,” said resident and musician Travis Rollow. “But if you shut this down, it would be detrimental to the whole town.”
Mike Ordway, an abutter to the range, agreed, saying that the long-standing business was a plus to the town.
But while several abutters spoke in favor of the business, others and those that can hear the events said they are not keen on listening to concert events throughout the summer.
“When a patron doesn’t want to go to a concert, they don’t have to. I don’t have that choice,” said Derek Mathieu of Mason, who can clearly hear the concerts from his Reed Road home.
“I think the board needs to seriously consider how many people are being impacted,” agreed Barbara Devore of Mason, who can also hear the concerts from her property. “This is absolutely not in the interests of the town. This is in the interest of a few people.”
When the board deliberated, member Dotsy Millbrandt raised the question of whether the words “outdoor entertainment” were too broad, echoing the concerns of a resident who had pointed out that could encompass far more than outdoor concerts, such as a dirtbike track or outdoor theater.
She moved to amend the ordinance to be specific to music events, but the amendment was voted down after a short discussion, with the majority of the board feeling the ordinance as written gave enough flexibility for the Zoning Board to work wit.
A vote will be scheduled after five weeks have passed.