Wildwood is searching for ways to prevent excessive noise and other problems that occurred last fall at the Zen Awakening Festival, scheduled Nov. 17-19 at Wildwood Recreational Park on U.S. 301.
Commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance Monday night designed to provide more oversight for Zen Fest and other events, but development director Melanie Peavy said the proposed ordinance will be reworked.
The ordinance would set maximum noise levels and hours and require advance notice of special events, which has not happened in the past.
The park, which is supposed to be open only on weekends, has a motor cross track and sponsors off-road events such as racing and truck battles.
Peavy said noise from last year’s Zen Fest could be heard by residents three miles away. Two close neighbors said the sound of drums and the Zen Master could be heard into the night.
“We weren’t able to control it last year,” said Mayor Ed Wolf. “It got beyond what we expected. If we couldn’t control it last year, we’re not going to control it this year.”
This year’s Zen Fest is promoted on the Internet as “Florida’s only transformational music and arts festival.” It features disc jockeys, jam bands, yoga, meditation, spiritual teachers, a drum circle and group chants.
“I think it’s time for us to stop and try to work this all out one time,” said Commissioner Joe Elliott.
Peavy said she will research whether the city can deny a special event permit under the park’s zoning.
At a meeting earlier this month of the Wildwood Planning and Zoning Committee, Special Magistrate Archie O. Lowry, refused to endorse the proposed ordinance because he said it needed to address the park’s problems. Lowry has retired as special magistrate and was replaced by Mount Dora attorney Grant Watson.
Kathy Leggett, who lives across U.S. 301 from the park, told Lowry that last year drums beat 24 hours a day and she couldn’t hear her television set.
Two Georgia men were arrested at last year’s festival. One was arrested for riding in a stolen dune buggy and the other for cocaine possession.