Planning panel approves Travelers Championship temporary event permit with conditions

The Town of Cromwell Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve application 26‑02, a temporary event permit allowing the Travelers Championship golf tournament at 100 Golf Club Road June 22–28, 2026, subject to a set of operational conditions and coordination requirements.

The permit, sought by the Greater Hartford Community Foundation and presented by attorney David Dasio of Hinckley Allen, requires measures including posted drinking‑water signage at food tents, roped fencing to keep spectators out of construction zones, dust control by water truck if needed, noise‑screening of equipment, and removal of green screening mesh within three weeks of the event’s end. The commission also adopted specific hours for related construction and deliveries (5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Monday, June 15–Friday, July 3, 2026) and asked that tournament vehicles not use River Highlands roads or Kohl’s Road for shuttles. Dasio said the tournament gives back to charities: “100% of the net proceeds go to benefit charities in the greater Hartford area,” and noted prior distributions, including roughly $4 million to 206 nonprofits in 2025.

Why it matters: The Travelers Championship is a major annual event for Cromwell, bringing high‑profile media coverage and substantial charitable proceeds while also generating traffic, staging and neighborhood impacts that require careful local controls. Commissioners emphasized the importance of written coordination with Cromwell Police Department and neighboring towns on traffic management and the need to incorporate the town sanitarian’s and fire district’s recommended conditions into the final permit packet.

Supporting details and neighborhood feedback: Applicant Kevin Harrington reviewed gate operations, ride‑share relocation to the red lot, four public gates and partial road closures on Golf Club Road and Field Road during event days. Residents who spoke during the hearing praised the event’s charitable benefits and local economic exposure. Staff recommended approval conditioned on the applicant incorporating the town planner’s February 26 memo and the Feb. 19 letters from the fire district and health officer; the commission voted to approve with those materials attached and the conditions read into the record.

Next steps: The applicant will receive the final list of conditions from town staff and must demonstrate compliance (timing, communications, traffic plans and community notifications) before the event. The town planner indicated the final conditions and supporting correspondence would be delivered to the tournament organizers for operational implementation.