Agenda - 04-05-2011 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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94 ~~ f5 ~ 200, aver ~ s~,ogo fans have made the trek tv the Speedway and along the way 2 stopped, shopped and stayed in Qrange County. That number would have been higher, 3 but givAn the economy over the lasfi t~~o fears our fzn based has suffered: To be a goad 4 neighbor, the Speedway has also partnered with the Qrange Refay far Life when they 5 ceased to use the high school, The facility is provided at no cost to the event. The 6 Speedway is a willing participant in the community. ale assist with funding activities of 7 local groups. we have hosted the ~cconeechee Bay Scant Council and other Nan-Profits S on several occasions. 9 Qnly in recent weeks and by mere chance, did we hear of the Unified f 0 Development ordinance discussions has reached this point. I attribute this to the lack of I l a Representative from our Township on the Planning Board.l spent Sunday afternoon 12 reading the entire document. Since the conclusion of the Speedway Highway 57 Small t3 Area Plan meetings, I have been in contact with Planning Staff over the past several ~4 years to determine whatwauld come of the results. fur business had no idea the UDC f5 was to this point. 1~ Qur concern is haw this ordinance gill affect our ability to not only continue with t7 our current activities, but utilize the property for other recreational activities. The f ~ Speedway has inquired other the past several years about the possibility to build a horse ~9 show facility to operate when non-racing activities are held, host the occasional music 2g and other recreational events. 2~ I have been the Director of Qperations of five years. Until last month, l was the only full- 22 time employee. with the economy as it is, I have taken a 213 pay cut yet l have decided 23 to continue my association to see that all the hard worl~ and dedication the owners, staff, 24 myself and fans have put into the Speedway is not in vain. we understand everyone is 25 not a race fan. Actually, I am not. But I understand the feelings Grange County 26 Speedway stirs in folks from Maine to Daytona. I recognized the potential this facility 27 has. The Speedway is a regionally recognized leader in grass roots racing. The owner, 2S staff and I do nofi see this facility as a Legal Non-conforming place, but a recreational 29 area for lovers of motorsports that can adapt and utilize the property for horseman and 3g others alike. Qrange County, other local businesses and the region benefit when the 3 ~ Speedway operates. 32 Qur racing season is typically March to November. This year, the Speedway will 33 only run ~ 1 events. The Speedway must be allowed to expand opportunities for the 34 property use other than racing. , 35 Our concerns from the ordinance include: 3~ Lack of a representative from our township during this process. 37 Lack of promised commercial area for current businesses located in area reviewed 3~ during the 2oa~ Speedway Highway 57 Sma{(Area Planning Meetings. 39 Current Sign Removal within a year if not meeting compliance. 4D wording of regarding -use ceasing for ~ 8o days within a two-year period shall 41 conform to the regulations. 42 1 have a degree in Animal Science, was employed by NCSU Extension Horse 43 Husbandry far ~ 5 years and have been an Equine trainer and owner for over 4g 44 years and I disagree with the horse activities being lumped in with kennel 45 standards. The breeding, training and raising equine has long been an accepted 46 agriculture! farming practice and should not be excluded from that category. 47 The monetary expense to conform to the UDD as written is too prohibitive far many 48 businesses which would be require in the very near future to make ~~~~f,~/~ee~