Commission rejects go-kart track, allows RC cars

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposed go-kart racing track on Ponderosa Road Monday but agreed to allow the property owner to operate a remote-control car track under a conditional-use approval.

The commission voted 3-2 to conditionally approve Mitchell Payne’s request for remote-control car racing only. Commissioners Dustin Mealor and Chairman Bruce Harkness opposed the motion.

The commission then voted unanimously, 5-0, to deny the go-kart racing portion of Payne’s application.

The decision followed a lengthy public hearing that drew support for the family-oriented recreation business as well as opposition from nearby residents concerned about noise, traffic, dust and emergency access.

Planning Commission recommended denial

Payne sought conditional use approval for the operation at his 5.58-acre property at 155 Ponderosa Road.

Planning and Development Director Mike Beecham told commissioners the property contains two homes and that Payne had constructed a go-kart track behind the residences.

The county’s Code Enforcement Division received complaints about noise and traffic, leading Payne to seek approval through the conditional-use process.

Beecham said previous races had drawn as many as 150 people, with events generally held Friday or Saturday evenings.

The Planning Commission considered the request in July and August before recommending denial.

Beecham said commissioners and residents raised concerns about the track’s location within a residential and agricultural area, as well as noise, dust and traffic.

He said county staff determined there was enough parking on the property for events involving roughly 150 people, including about 60 vehicle spaces and an area for trucks and trailers.

Environmental Health also determined Payne would need a permanent restroom facility before the county could issue a business license.

Payne offers conditions

Payne told commissioners he had worked to address the concerns raised by county staff and neighbors.

He said he is working on permanent restrooms capable of serving approximately 200 people and would continue to provide portable restrooms as needed.

Payne also said safety has been a priority, with off-duty firefighters, EMS personnel and registered nurses volunteering at some race events.

He offered to operate only stock Predator engines with stock mufflers if commissioners wanted to make that a condition of approval.

Payne said the track would operate approximately once a week, or about 35 events annually, depending on weather.

He also disputed concerns about dust, saying he keeps the track wet.

On the issue of noise, Payne said the track uses small stock engines similar to those used on other small pieces of equipment.

He said the operation is intended to provide a recreational outlet for children rather than simply generate income.

Neighbors cite quality of life

Several residents spoke against the application.

Allison Haynes, who lives on White Rapids Drive off Ponderosa Road, said neighbors submitted a petition with approximately 41 signatures opposing the request.

Haynes said the neighborhood was chosen for its quiet, rural character and argued that the track was not an appropriate commercial use for the area.

She also raised concerns about traffic congestion on Ponderosa Road and the ability of emergency vehicles to reach the neighborhood.

Katie Williams, another White Rapids Drive resident, said traffic during previous events had made it difficult for her to get through Ponderosa Road.

Williams recalled a medical emergency involving her husband and said she worried about whether emergency responders could get through if an event were underway.

“If there was some other road that would get into our neighborhood, I’d be happy to go that way, but this is only one way in, one way out,” Williams said.

Gavin Angulo, whose property borders Payne’s, described noise and vibration from the track and said he had experienced dust, debris and drainage problems that he attributed to the operation.

Angulo said residents should not have their quality of life negatively affected by a commercial activity in the middle of the neighborhood.

“Nobody’s against people having a good time in a family-friendly environment,” Angulo said, “but I think that they’re neglecting to consider how their actions are impacting their neighbors that are close by.”

Troy Lindsay, who recently purchased property on Ponderosa Road, said he reviewed the county’s zoning and future land-use information before buying the property with plans to build.

He said the area was designated for river conservation, agricultural or residential use and asked commissioners to deny the request.

Woodall proposes compromise

Commissioner Kelly Woodall said the decision required balancing Payne’s property rights with the rights of neighboring property owners.

“I hate to deny a business application for somebody to do something good for the community,” Woodall said, “but I understand that it is infringing on the rights of other property owners in the area.”

Woodall said he could support allowing remote-control car racing because he believed it could address some of the concerns about traffic and parking while eliminating the noise associated with the go-karts.

“If we’re going to approve anything, it would be the RC cars only,” Woodall said.

Woodall then made the motion to conditionally approve the remote-control car operation only, provided Payne agreed to the limitation.

The motion passed 3-2.

The commission then separately denied the go-kart track 5-0.

The decision allows Payne to pursue the remote-control car operation while preventing the go-kart racing operation that generated the majority of the neighborhood opposition.