The request for a go cart track to locate in the county goes back to the Banks County Board of Commission for final action following a 4-1 recommendation for approval by the planning commission on Tuesday night. Casting the only opposed vote was Sammy Reece.
The proposed paved asphalt 3,900-foot-long cart track and building, was opposed by several neighbors and churches close to the Atlanta Dragway, where the track would be located.
Amid the concerns, those in opposition were concerned about the hours of operation impacting church functions and noise levels throughout the week.
Speaking in favor of the proposal, Dan Moore assured the planning board that he would work with the local churches to limit hours of operation when there were scheduled functions such as weddings or funerals being held.
“I would like to get a church calendar and be open on Sunday afternoons unless there is a calendar event that me and them would work out.”
Also in rebuttal, Moore said that the restrictions on noise levels suggested by those opposed could not be abided by as normal traffic on the road exceeds the 55 decibel limit requested.
Conditions imposed on the application by the planning board include that all carts be outfitted with mufflers or silencers; set hours of operation (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays thru Thursdays and closing at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday sopen 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on race days when opens at 8 a.m., Sundays open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.); a six foot high berm five feet wide at the top with minimum five foot trees planted along the top along the eastern and southern sides; a fence enclosing the property; no alcohol sales or consumption during hours of operation and no activity after hours of operation.
The Banks County Commissioners has the final say on the matter during next week’s regular commissioners meeting Tuesday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Banks County Courthouse Annex at 150 Hudson Ridge.
SENT TO BOC
Other items unanimously approved by the planning board and placed on next week’s agenda for the BOC include:
•Chris Phagan’s applications for rezoning of property at 119 Banks Road from ARR, Agricultural, Rural-Residential to C-2, General Commercial for a truck terminal and a separate application for rezoning of property at 2004 Hwy. 59 from ARR Agricultural, Rural-Residential to C-2, General Commercial for a convenience store.
•Tanger Properties Limited Partnership three applications for a conditional use, sign variance and fencing variance. The conditional use application is for a convenience food store with retail gasoline sales for QuikTrip on Hwy. 441, South. This property is zoned C-2, General Commercial. The variance application is for an 83 square foot advertising sign for QuikTrip to advertise four types of fuel at the property and the variance application for the deletion of the opaque fencing requirement on side and rear property lines due to the positioning of the store to the road.
•J.R. Dudley’s application for conditional use for wholesale auto parts and restoration at 5100 Old Hwy. 441 North. The property is zoned C-2, General Commercial and current use is a vacant warehouse and shop.
