Neighbors Singing The Blues About Festival Expansion Residents Want Solutions To Problems Of Noise And Crowds

Some residents who live near Memorial Field are readying to battle expansion plans by the Festival at Sandpoint.

A petition signed by 200 residents was delivered Monday to City Hall before a workshop between the festival and city officials.

It called for a delay and public hearing on the festival’s plans to build a 10,000-square-foot stage over the Pend Oreille River.

“I’m not against the festival. I’m against where it’s at,” said Kenneth Coulston, who was the only petitioner at the workshop.

“I’m against the crowds, the noise and inconsideration of our property.”

The festival’s three weeks of concerts often have hit a sour note with neighbors. They have complained about the loud music and crowds of 5,000 parking in driveways, blocking alleys and littering the neighborhood. Council members agreed those problems need to be addressed before the festival gets approval for its new waterfront stage.

“The signatures on this petition mean there are a number of people concerned about what is going on in this area,” Councilman Dan Staglund said. “Before we go ahead, I want some solutions for these neighbors.”

Festival Executive Director Connie Berghan said solutions are in the works. Before the petition drive, she said the festival will hold a public hearing. It will be Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Community Hall. “If this (new stage) doesn’t benefit the majority of citizens and the community, then we will have to look at other alternatives,” she said.

Mayor Ron Chaney said the city also will schedule its own public hearing.

Festival organizers want a 30- to 50-year lease agreement with the city for the land at Memorial Field and estimate the cost of the stage at $700,000.

Preliminary plans call for the stage to be on the backside of Memorial Field, between the city’s boat dock and wastewater treatment plant.

Eventually the stage would be totally enclosed with a see-through, glass back wall. Concert-goers would sit in a half-moon shaped section of shoreline, with room for 5,000 people.

Berghan said the bowl-shaped seating should cut back on noise. Because the stage is off Memorial Field it also should eliminate scheduling conflicts with sporting events.

“We truly believe that this site will eliminate some of the negatives,” Berghan said.