Vernon- Connecticut Based TicketNetwork Weighs Its Future In Town - Courant.com

Vernon-Based TicketNetwork Weighs Its Future In Town - Courant.com: "Vernon-Based TicketNetwork Weighs Its Future In Town"


VERNON— - The businessman who recently lost a bid to open a seasonal concert venue in town said he has big decisions to make — not only about a possible appeal, but also about the future of his Vernon-based ticket broker and software company.

Don Vaccaro, CEO of TicketNetwork, said Wednesday that he must expand the corporate headquarters of the fast-growing company, which was launched eight years ago with two employees and is now an international business with 240 employees. The expansion, however, might not happen in Vernon, Vaccaro said, because he cannot get fair treatment for any development plan from the current planning and zoning commission.

"We think the likelihood of us being able to expand has greatly diminished in Vernon," he said. A neighboring town — which he would not name — has tried to woo him to move his corporate headquarters there, Vaccaro said.

On March 11, the planning board rejected TicketNetwork's application for an outdoor amphitheater off South Frontage Road, on the same large parcel as the company's headquarters. The commission cited problems with noise and traffic and dangers posed by crowds of concertgoers.

But Vaccaro said the panel accepted inaccurate testimony from opponents while challenging anyone who spoke in favor of the proposal. Asked if he would submit an alternative plan or appeal in Superior Court, Vaccaro said he was considering several options and will decide sometime next month.

As for the future of TicketNetwork in Vernon, Vaccaro said the decision on when and where to expand will be made by the end of June.

"We like Vernon; we want to stay in Vernon," he said. At the same time, however, Vaccaro said he is concerned that the planning board will shoot down any expansion plans he submits.

Neither the town planner nor the chairman of the planning board could be reached Wednesday.

Mayor Jason McCoy said he did not want to comment in detail about the panel's decision.

"I think they did the best they could do, based on what they had in front of them," he said of the board.

As for Vaccaro's comments about expansion, McCoy said that TicketNetwork is a valued business and that he hoped the company would stay and grow in town. Expanding the tax base is vital, McCoy said, citing weak growth in the most recent grand list and soaring costs, especially for public employees' health insurance.

But it is inaccurate to say that the planning board is anti-business, the mayor said. While hearings for the concert venue were being held, the panel approved applications for a propane distribution facility near TicketNetwork's property and a 140-room Marriott Hotel off Hartford Turnpike, he said.

Mark Boyer, an opponent of the concert venue application who lives near the proposed site, said he did not think anyone was against development on the parcel, but the noise and traffic that an amphitheater would bring were not welcome in the rural area.

"It just doesn't fit," Boyer said.