The Portland Planning Board is considering whether to move forward with a plan by Concert giant Live Nation and local developer Mile Marker Investments to build a 3,300-seat concert venue near Merrill Auditorium.

A public meeting was held by the Planning Board this week, where there was strong opposition from smaller music venues who say the proposed new facility will drive them out of business.

But Portland Mayor Mark Dion says the city can’t get involved in the issue. “As a government, we have to be immune from that,” said Dion. “We don’t pick winners. We don’t pick losers. I firmly believe consumers make market decisions.”

The small venues contend Live Nation will prevent the massive number of musical acts it oversees from performing at their locations, which will drive them out of business.

There’s was also heavy opposition to the proposal because it doesn’t include parking facilities, but Dion says the Planning Board can’t consider parking issues.

“Their mission is quite clear,” Dion said. “There are existing zoning ordinances and planning requirements, and their (the Planning Board’s) only purpose is to determine whether the applicant satisfies those standards and expectations, period.”

In addition, the city code would not require the proposed project to build additional parking.

The Portland City Council eliminated all parking mandates last November. Dion said they decided to do away with minimum requirements for parking as a means to drive people to use public transportation. He said they’re trying to decouple from the dominance of the automobile in the congested Portland peninsula area.

The developers of the project say they believe the nearby area has enough parking for everyone, and they will also look to Greater Portland Metro and ride share services for solutions.

The Planning Council has not yet decided whether to approve the new venue.