Regulatory Process Begins For Manchester Drive-In Theater Plan

MANCHESTER, CT — The local approval process has officially begun for a drive-in movie theater proposed for Manchester's Parkade commercial district.

A hand-drawn sketch of the layout was delivered to Manchester planning officials during the first week in June. An application requesting a special exception permit to allow the outdoor theater was formally recorded Monday, officials said.

The outdoor theater plans have been submitted for a parcel at 416 Middle Turnpike West. That's the listed address of the current Parkade Cinemas complex.

No formal planning and zoning review date has been posted.

The hand-drawn map supplied by the Manchester Planning Department shows an angled layout for the outdoor theater with a "privacy fence" with 60 spaces. The access roads are on the north side of the property, according to the hand-drawn layout. The projection booth and screen would be located on the south end, according to the map.

Here's a look at the layout:

(Manchester Planning Department)