BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — County commissioners are waiting to grant permission for an annual racing event pending clarification on the rules for special events.
Christine Williams and her son, Cole, approached the commission July 20 to request a special exception to allow a recreational racetrack on their property on Northwest 74th Avenue.
Once a year, Williams explained, they hold an event for pit bike enthusiasts like her son, and they would like to come in compliance with the requirements of the land development regulations.
“We have become friends with so many people, and it’s really just a gathering of all these people, family and friends. They just really get together and swap information and knowledge, and then have little competition,” she said.
They have rules for racing that include wearing safety gear and helmets, and staying off county roads. Williams said their race mirrors similar private events uniting pit bike enthusiasts around the country.
“I just wanted to jump on board and give these guys a place to come in the wintertime because most of them come from Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, because they’re not racing due to the weather in their area,” she said.
Visitors not camping on the property stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and buy fuel, she said, with some leaving for other races farther south, theme parks, etc.
The sport is becoming more popular, Williams said, especially with inflation driving up the price of larger bikes. They want to continue having a space where riders can do what they enjoy.
Fridays are for practice and Saturdays are for the competition. Everyone packs up and is gone by Sunday, Williams confirmed, after being asked about the church nearby.
While they’ve never generated complaints from the church, other neighbors have been unhappy with all the noise. Sheriff Gordon Smith confirmed his office has never responded to any kind of emergency call, but his phone starts ringing when the motors crank up.
The Williamses don’t hire security, but they have had deputies come and watch for a time, and they say they try to prohibit noise early in the morning and late at night. The racing stops before dark, although Smith said there have been noise complaints at night. Overall, it is a well-run event, he said.
However, with Sheriff Smith wanting to regulate special events through code enforcement, the Williamses may have to go further if they wish to continue. That includes seeking a permit every year and hiring security. Unpermitted events drawing a large number of visitors face a stiff fine for being in violation.
Commissioners postponed acting on the special exception application to give the Williamses time to meet with the sheriff, discuss the requirements and consider if they want to continue.
Industrial rezoning delayed
The board also delayed a decision on an industrial rezoning request after neighbors of applicant John Getzan complained.
Getzan was seeking the change to create outside storage for boats and motorhomes, according to Zoning Director Randy Andrews.
The parcel on Northeast State Road 16 is currently residentially zoned, and bordering property owner Bobbie Acevedo said industrial zoning does not belong in the neighborhood. The property is not upkept now, she said, with rundown mobile homes and recreational vehicles surrounded by overgrowth. She wanted to know if those living on the property would be permitted to continue living there. She also had questions about lighting and security.
Barbara Johns shared the same concerns in opposing a zoning change. The property has not been maintained despite the renters living there, and they’ve even dealt with a hoarding situation involving hundreds of malnourished animals.
Commission Diane Andrews said a change could lead to the property being cleaned up, but the application was tabled until the board has a better idea what the landowner is planning.
