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More complaints for concert venue

By TOM ZUCCO
Published August 9, 2005

TAMPA - At least 10 complaints of excessive noise were filed after Saturday's Toby Keith concert at the Ford Amphitheatre, even as the amphitheater's owners and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission are holding court-ordered negotiations about controlling noise at the venue.

The 10 complaints do not compare with the more than 50 received after a Korn concert last December, when decibel levels in surrounding neighborhoods were among the highest ever recorded - 90.6, or the equivalent of a running blender.

But there were more complaints after Toby Keith's 90-minute show than all but three of 18 concerts held at the amphitheater this year.

In an attempt to end a nearly year-long battle over noise at the venue, county officials agreed two weeks ago to temporarily suspend their lawsuit against Clear Channel Entertainment, owner of the 20,000-seat amphitheater, and the Florida State Fair Authority, which owns the 17 acres where the amphitheater was built.

Clear Channel came to the bargaining table after suffering a significant legal setback two days earlier, when Circuit Judge Charlene Honeywell denied the company's request for immunity from local noise regulations.

Clear Channel also agreed to suspend its countersuit against the EPC. A third lawsuit brought by residents living near the amphitheater was dismissed.

If a compromise can't be reached by Oct. 28, all three lawsuits could be refiled.

In a news release announcing the interim agreement two weeks ago, amphitheater executive director Ed Morrell promised that changes were coming.

"We are working with the EPC to finalize a broad package of architectural, structural and administrative changes at our own expense," Morrell said. "(We're) confident they will address the EPC's and neighbors' concerns."

But after moving an Aug. 1 concert featuring hip-hop artists Eminem and 50 Cent from the outdoor amphitheater to the indoor St. Pete Times Forum, Clear Channel has resumed its outdoor summer line-up.

That included Keith's show Saturday, which came with fireworks, flashpots, a 10-piece band, and calls from neighbors to the EPC.

EPC general counsel Rick Tschantz said his agency cannot release the names of those who complained or what the noise readings were because analysis hasn't been completed and complaints may still trickle in.

"In the meantime, the mediation is ongoing, and the court has stayed all legal proceedings until Oct. 28 to complete the process," Tschantz said. "However, the parties have the flexibility to bring the issue up for public consideration earlier than that."

For at least 10 residents living nearby, that would be welcome news.

In the coming weeks, the amphitheater has concerts scheduled featuring pop rock acts Avril Lavigne (Aug. 20), Journey (Sept. 17) and My Chemical Romance (Oct. 9).

[Last modified August 9, 2005, 19:43:21]