Austintown nursing home protesting racino plans for outdoor concerts

YOUNGSTOWN

A nursing home and assisted living facility adjacent to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course has appealed the granting by the Austintown Township Board of Zoning Appeals of a conditional-use permit for an outdoor concert area.

The appeal was filed Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Ashley Facility Realty LLC, which operates Briarfield at Ashley Circle, 5291 Ashley Circle.

“We don’t have any argument with their having concerts. We just think they should be indoors,” said Atty. Peter B. Grinstein, who filed the appeal on behalf of Ashley.

Grinstein said the noise from outdoor concerts would disrupt the nursing-home environment.

“It’s a noise problem. That’s all it is. ... Some of these bands are just very loud,” Grinstein said, based on entertainment listings at other Penn National gaming facilities.

Grinstein said Ashley has no objection to the casino, which will open Sept. 17, or to the racetrack, where horse racing will start Nov. 24.

Read more about the complaint in Saturday's Vindicaor or on Vindy.com.