Board approves regulations for motor sports

Nice way for Lancaster County to say "NO" without having to actually say NO. -Chris


http://www.lincolnjournalstar.com/news/local/doc469d16cd38d34364349791.txt

By the Lincoln Journal StarTuesday, Jul 17, 2007 - 02:33:16 pm CDT

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved changes that would permit motor sports facilities in the county, while setting specific regulations to address concerns like noise and location.

The board voted 4-1 to adopt the amendment to the county’s zoning code, though the vote came after several attempts to find some compromise among the options before them.

Commissioner Deb Schorr voted against the measure.Schorr jumped out front with her concerns about sound restrictions being possibly too restrictive after the board closed out testimony and began to consider possible action. She said she believed strongly there is somewhere in the county that can accommodate motor sports events.“If our sound restrictions are going to be the reason it can’t be built, then I can’t support it,” she said of the changes.

The regulations will allow race tracks, drag strips or any other motor sports facility by special permit in the AG zoning district of the county and limit the hours of a site’s operation between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. The regulations also will prohibit the development of a motor sports project within a half mile of cemeteries, hospitals, churches, residential areas, acreage areas, schools, parks and open space.

The regulations include a provision that the County Board can amend any of the conditions or impose additional conditions in the interest of public health, safety, morals and general welfare.

The board is scheduled to hear a proposal for a quarter-mile drag strip at its July 31 meeting. The changes adopted by the board Tuesday will apply to that project.