I find the ZBA's decision very upsetting. The Dionysus Theatre followed the laws and now are being penalized for it. The location they were looking to turn into a theatre was previously Bounce U which was commerical. A theater is unique and therefore needs a unique space. It would have been incredible for the community to have a professional theatre here, but after the ruling and the lack of suitable building alternatives I guess we'll still have to leave Brighton for professional theatre entertainment.

This is sad. What is the difference between when Bounce U was there and Michelle's now, or Jazzercise. This would be a good addition to Brighton and it would give residents another fun thing to do that keeps them in the Brighton Community, AND it may bring others to the community.

The Bounce U was allowed in that space previously because they did not follow the rules and snuck under the ZBA's radar. Dionysus Theatre followed all the rules, and was bringing a unique and very beneficial venue to Brighton that is different from traditional commercial business, and was penalized for trying to do it the right way! What a terrible lesson for our children to witness- I am appalled at this decision! I am confident they will eventually find the perfect spot for their theatre where they will thrive- which will welcome them with open arms!!

I will rethink my shopping options when considering Brighton versus other, more welcoming communities.

I was looking forward to relocating to the Brighton area BECAUSE of the Dionysus Theatre. I have spent hundreds of hours in that community over the past few months getting to know the area and spending LOTS of money shopping and dining there. Brighton has so much POTENTIAL. However, I'm sorry to say that I will be taking my time and money elsewhere now. I had been talking up that community, and now I fear that when I talk about Brighton in the future, I'll have a bad taste in my mouth. A few close-minded bullies ruined a phenomenal opportunity for so many. Personal opinions aside, though, this was very cut and dry, in my mind. That building complex already has/had entertainment and arts businesses functioning there. There is NO reason for the Dionysus Theatre to think that they couldn't open a theatre there because it is similar in overall function to Bounce U, Jazzercise, and Michelle's Dance Academy. That is just common sense. Bounce U was a business that housed large numbers of children (and staff and chaperones) for entertainment and recreational purposes. That's what a theatre does! Only, you also get the added benefit of culture and education! ALSO, if they were so concerned about whether or not the building was appropriate, the ZBA members should have seen the space. I have seen the inside of the building, and it was PERFECT. This is absolutely sickening, and while I wish the individual residents of Brighton well, my money will go elsewhere from now on!

A truly skilled and progressive zoning board welcomes good business into the community, It starts with "Yes," and tries to work through barriers collaboratively. This is a short-sighted, rigid, and unnecessary decision, and once again, Brighton has proven itself an inflexible community with poor planners. Just look at Grand River Avenue - the unsafe mish-mash of entrances and exits; buildings without any unifying theme or design; traffic so congested it's like pouring concrete through a straw getting from one end of town to the other.

That said, this theater will ONLY only enhance the community. This would have been a wonderful opportunity for youth and adults. In the last production I saw at the Encore (same founder) in Dexter, a 15-year-old played one of the nuns in "Nunsense," and was phenomenal (as was the overall show). We need more of these opportunities locally. I'm sick to death of driving to Ann Arbor or Detroit - or Dexter - for professional theater. Living in a rural area and enjoying easy access to art and culture is truly the best of both worlds, and a county that offers both attracts employers, residents, and shoppers. People WANT to live in the country, but those same people also want to enjoy culture and art without driving 50 miles round trip for the experience. You can literally build a downtown around a theater, just look at Chelsea. It's a destination city because of the Purple Rose, and Brighton could have enjoyed the same reputation.

I grew up in Brighton, attended school here, raised my children here, worked in the downtown business community and shopped local businesses to support my home town. As a 20-year veteran of community theatre and a professional musician, I was looking forward to seeing quality professional productions at the Dionysus Theatre, not to mention the live-theatre educational opportunities for Brighton's youth. The communities of Lansing and Chelsea encourage the arts through their professional theatres in the downtown area, which brings in a tremendous amount of revenue for those cities. It is sad that Brighton's zoning board cannot see what a tremendous opportunity this was for all. ZBA Vice Chairperson Gino Conedera's comment, "I think we can all agree that theater is entertainment and amusement," is one-sided in my opinion. I have experienced as a performer on stage and as an audience participant, the many ways the arts touches people beyond the "amusing entertainment" factor - and we are better for it. I will in future, be spending my time and money in those communities that support the arts, and hope that the Dionysus Theatre finds a location in a more welcoming city, preferably in Livingston County.

Nicole - could you tell us who voted yes and who voted no?

Vincent - Board members Gino Conedera, Russ Gottschalk, and new member Douglas A. (sorry, the last name escapes me) voted that the theatre was a prohibited use, and members Patrick Rahilly and David McLane dissented.

How terribly unfortunate for the progression of a town such as Brighton. I always described it as a wonderful place to raise children; now I'm not so sure. Why would we want to deny or children opportunities such as team building, social skills, and appreciating sheer talent? Shame on you, ZBA members. Sadly, this not only reflects on your character as city officials, but as parents and human beings.

I don't know what the political motivations behind the board's decision were. But I investigated this group just a little. Let's look at a couple things. They want to "Educate" your children. Really? on what? Culture? Seems we have an incredibly diverse culture 20 minutes down the road, if we choose to educate our children on the kind of culture they might be selling. Why am I making assumptions on the kind of "education" they want to give us? Look at a quote from the owner on his web page: http://www.diotheatre.com/ "If you don't leave offended..." Like I said, I have no idea what kind of education this group wants to give your children, but if they are trying to sell "Glee" on the local level, I applaud the City Council, whatever their motivations. Thanks.

Having grown up with theater an important part of my life, not as a performer, but as a part of the audience, I am saddened by the ZBA's decision. I am not a citizen of Brighton, but I do know the amazing people behind the Dionysus Theater..and cannot believe that they are not being welcomed with open arms. I am also appalled by the misquote by the commentor BriteTon. This person's ignorance and inability to share an effective/construction comment is ridiculous and just plain sad. Shame on you BriteTon and shame on the Zoning Board of Brighton.

Having grown up with theater an important part of my life, not as a performer, but as a part of the audience, I am saddened by the ZBA's decision. I am not a citizen of Brighton, but I do know the amazing people behind the Dionysus Theater..and cannot believe that they are not being welcomed with open arms. I am also appalled by the misquote by the commentor BriteTon. This person's ignorance and inability to share an effective/constructive comment is ridiculous and just plain sad. Shame on you BriteTon and shame on the Zoning Board of Brighton.

Hi Everyone, Please keep your comments directed toward the issue at hand and not at each other or I will be forced to remove them from the site. Also keep in mind our Terms of Use policy and refrain from using profanity, even masked profanity. Those comments have been removed. Thank you!

Nicole, Why did you only remove my masked comments, and not Ian's? Just curious.

The other comment was also removed. We appreciate a good conversation and debate, but please keep the language clean and about the issue and not directed at other users. Thanks for reading, BriteTon1.