Infinity Hall’s success has side effects
By Bridgette L. Rallo

Parked cars often line both sides of Shepard Road.

Ever since Infinity Hall opened last fall, Norfolk has been confronted with a problem that’s
taken many who live and work here by surprise: parking. The popularity of the music hall’s
headliner concerts and its new 150-seat bistro wasn’t unexpected, but the vehicular congestion
on Route 44, Station Place and Shepard Road in recent months has startled residents and other
village business owners.
The escalating number of complaints has gotten the attention of town officials, and the issue
was number one on the agenda at the last Norfolk Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)
meeting on June 9. Also in attendance were First Selectmen Sue Dyer and Frank Bell and Simon
Aldridge of the Economic Development Commission (EDC).
Chairman West Lowe began the meeting by stating the scope of the problem and recounting
several of the most pertinent parking-related incidents. Out-of- town cars parked along the
Route 44 curve across from Village Green was one of the more dangerous examples cited by
Lowe.
According to town records, Infinity Hall owner Dan Hincks has not changed the usage of the
building formerly known as Greenwoods Theater. It is still basically a theater. Dedicated parking
for the building type has never been required. But, Lowe noted, Hincks’ success has had an
impact on vehicle density in the previously quiet village center.
P&Z members spent almost an hour discussing currently available village street parking and
trying to decide how best to direct music hall and bistro patrons to those areas.
Recommendations included increased signage for allowable spaces and for crosswalks leading
to the village center, more enforcement of “no parking” zones by state troopers, night parking
at Town Hall for Infinity Hall staff and some visitors, and possible time limits on some parking
spaces, notably those on Station Place used by patrons of Norfolk center’s small businesses. All
of the above are under consideration. In addition, Hincks has reportedly agreed to include
parking information on tickets and on his Website.
Members of both commissions will discuss their conclusions at their next regularly scheduled
meetings. The next P&Z meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, and the EDC will meet on
Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m.