Bedford County planning commission OKs zoning change for drag strip
The proposed change that centers on the New London Dragway now goes to the county supervisors.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
BEDFORD — A zoning change intended to pave the way for potential expansion at the New London Dragway in Bedford County moved forward Tuesday.
The planning commission voted to recommend approval of a text amendment permitting “Commercial Outdoor Entertainment” in the agricultural preserve district.
The proposed change, which now heads to the Bedford County Board of Supervisors for final action, limits uses to only drag strip racing facilities.
The drag strip has operated for more than 50 years at an airport on New London Road near U.S. 460 and draws many racing fans. The operation predates current zoning and is a “grandfathered” legal nonconforming use on the more than 100-acre property in a partially wooded area.
The board voted May 28 to initiate the zoning amendment and send it to the commission for a recommendation.
Site plans or documents on a specific expansion plan for the drag strip have not yet been sent in to the Department of Community Development, but county officials have said an interested purchaser might consider adding another strip to the site exclusively for racing.
Such an expansion calls for the zoning change. Typical uses for commercial outdoor entertainment include sports arenas, motor vehicle or animal racing facilities and outdoor amusement parks.
Commercial outdoor entertainment is allowed in certain zoning districts by right or through special use permits, but not in the agricultural preserve district.
The specific change the board initiated applies only to properties with an airport and commercial outdoor entertainment use: planners have said the New London site is the only one in the county to meet that standard.
The commission held a public hearing July 16 but postponed the decision until more design use standards could be researched and presented.
Chairman Steve Wilkerson said Tuesday that limiting the use to the drag strip racing facility took care of most concerns. The commission recommended putting in place buffer requirements in side and rear areas of the property.
Commissioner Jeff Burdett said his main concern was making sure a buffer is in place for neighboring property lines. Planners owe it to the neighbors and the operation itself to make sure trees stay in place to mitigate noise, Commissioner Fred Fralick added.
“I hope we don’t make it so restrictive it is a deal buster,” said Commissioner Jerry Craig.
The commission has mentioned the potential positive economic benefits an expansion of the drag strip could bring. Craig said he did not want to deter potential suitors with too much red tape.
“We don’t want to derail it if it is a feasible project,” Wilkerson said.
Kevin Murray, who has owned the airport for seven years, was the only resident to speak at last month’s hearing. He leases the drag strip to a company and told commissioners he did not push for the zoning change. He said expanding the strip could help it survive and indicated selling it is a possibility.
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