Another Track Under the Gun...Clarksville!

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00BusDriver

Member
Got this in an email from the track!

They have a drag strip, dirt track, kart track and R/C track I believe.
___________________________________________________________ __

Dear Clarksville Speedway Racing fan,

We've just been informed about a proposed city ordinance which affects
your sport...



Proposed ORDINANCE #

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART II (CODE OF ORDINANCES), TITLE 10 (OFFENSES
- MISCELLANEOUS), CHAPTER 2 (ENUMERATED), SECTION 10-

224 (ANTI-NOISE REGULATIONS) OF THE OFFICIAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
CLARKSVILLE

WHEREAS, the Clarksville City Council finds that creation of
unreasonably loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise is detrimental to
public health and welfare, and to the preservation of residential
property values; and

WHEREAS, the Clarksville City Council finds further that
reasonable prohibitions on the creation of unreasonably loud,
disturbing, or unnecessary noise will contribute to an enhanced
quality of life for city residents, and to the preservation
of residential property values; and

WHEREAS, the Clarksville City Council finds further that motor
vehicle racing produces loud and disturbing noises that are
particularly unreasonable at certain hours of the day, and should be
regulated by limiting the number of days during the week when such
activity may be conducted; and be further limited by establishing
reasonable hours during which this activity may be conducted;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE:

(1) That Title 10, “Offenses - Miscellaneous,” Chapter 2,
“Enumerated,” Section 10-224, “Anti-noise Regulations,” subsection
(e), “Use of Vehicles and types,” subparagraph (i), is amended by
adding the following language at the end of

subparagraph (i):

Recreational or competitive motor vehicle racing shall not be
conducted within the City limits on more than three (3) days a week.
If racing is conducted for three (3) days a week at any course or
track, one (1) of the days shall be Sunday. On any day except
Sundays, no motor vehicle racing shall be conducted after eleven
o'clock p.m.(11:00 p.m.). At the conclusion of a racing event on such
days, the track owner(s) or management shall encourage all
participants and patrons to vacate the
premises by not later than eleven-thirty p.m. (11:30 p.m.). No racing
shall be conducted on a Sunday except between twelve o'clock (12:00)
noon and six o'clock p.m.(6:00 p.m.). At the conclusion of a Sunday
racing event, the track owner(s) or management shall encourage all
participants and patrons to vacate the premises by not later than
six-thirty p.m. (6:30 p.m.).


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I personally, am opposed to how the proposed ordinace is introduced.
It's introduced as a "public health and welfare" reform. It also
mentions "preservation of residential property values". Where's any
studies or conclusive evidence? I would think you would need to
clarify before any judgement could be passed. It also appears that he
is proposing that one of the days must be on Sunday, which is not a
normal day for racing activities.

How do you feel about your government elected officials telling you
when, and when not, you are allowed enjoy your sport? How do you feel
about them not only dictating the hours you can enjoy your sport, but
also putting limitations on how often? How are these proposed changes
going to affect not only the business of Clarksville Speedway, but
also other businesses local to the area. The speedway brings in taxes
and other revenues for the City of Clarksville which should be
considered.

We at Clarksville Speedway do our very best to keep noise to a minimum
and provide goodwill toward the community. We are very fond of our
Clarksville neighbors. We understand that some of our neighbors
puchased or rented their homes without being informed that the
speedway was nearby. Perhaps the realtors should be required to
disclose this information to potential home buyers?


The Speedway:
Clarksville Speedway has been a part of the Clarksville Community for
over 30 years. When the speedway was originally built, it was built
outside city limits in Montgomery County. The speedway was later
annexed into the city limits. When the speedway was built, the area
was not a residential area. Since that time homes have moved closer
and closer to the speedway in all directions. It is our understanding
that a permit was recently granted to build apartment dwellings right
next door to the speedway on the corner of Needmore & Boy Scout Rds.
The residences which have moved in over the years has already limited
the Speedways hours and business practices.


Midnite Madness:
Clarksville Speedway has been unofficially commended many times for
their effort in keeping Clarksville's young adults off the streets on
Friday nights. The midnite madness event provides a safe location in a
controlled environment. Off duty Police officers provide security for
the midnite madness events.

The midnite madness events are scheduled every Friday beginning around
10 pm til around 1 am weather permitting. No cars are allowed to
cruise down the streets of the speedway that do not have street legal
exhaust and mufflers. These are the same cars you would find
unprohibited from legally cruising the streets of Clarksville during
any hours of the day or night.

How many young lives, as well as the lives of other innocent victims,
are saved due to the safe and contolled environment provided by the
Speedway to Clarksville's young adults? It's unfortunate, but I guess
we'll find out if this ordinance is passed.

This matter doesn't affect only Clarksville Speedway, or only the
residents who live close by. It affects all of us in and around the
Clarksville/Montgomery County area. Please let your voice be heard on
this matter. Keep an eye on your email, and The Leaf-Chronicle for
updates concerning this matter.

Sincerely,
John McConnell
Clarksville Speedway



Sad situation.

00BusDriver
 
Bad thing about this is,,track owners coffers will be spent against a city that probably has an unlimited check book. Why does people move next to this an then complain after the fact?
 
I'm no lawyer but since the track has been there for 30 years It would seem this law would NOT effect something that was there BEFORE the law was passed Nor can you tell the track which has been in operation for 30 years what days you can be open(Sunday)
Kinda like telling a drug store you can only be open on Sundays
 
The Speedway:
Clarksville Speedway has been a part of the Clarksville Community for
over 30 years. When the speedway was originally built, it was built
outside city limits in Montgomery County. The speedway was later
annexed into the city limits. When the speedway was built, the area
was not a residential area. Since that time homes have moved closer
and closer to the speedway in all directions. It is our understanding
that a permit was recently granted to build apartment dwellings right
next door to the speedway on the corner of Needmore & Boy Scout Rds.
The residences which have moved in over the years has already limited
the Speedways hours and business practices.


WHY DO THESE RACE TRACKS ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE ANNEXED INTO THESE CITIES????

Seems to me that the cons far outweigh the pros on these deals. This is not the only race track that I have seen do this and have always questioned why they would do this.
Looks good at first and next thing you know they are dictating terms to you how you will run/operate your business, typical goverment.
 
These people really P'me off!!!!:mad:

I'd hate to think my life was so terrible that I can't stand people having a little fun once a week 6 months a year. That I'd feel the need to try and ruin it for them. We all may need to start rioting and burning old Hoosier tires in some front lawns.... :mad:
 
dirtgirl said:
Is that track just right off the highway ?
Click to expand...
It's a few miles north off of Highway 79, which is off of Interstate 24, at Clarksville. Needmore road was a rural, tar and chip road just like you have going into 1-55. At least it was the last time we were there. They may have paved it by now! It is a nice little track. Have been there a couple of times in the last 10 years. Kind of reminds me of the old Charlie Bowl when I see that, red clay!
It was a very rural area, then you get the contractors buying up cheap ground and start building their big subdivisions. Like the ones by Tri-City and Peavely, then they complain about the noise. Just plain dumb! Kind of like buying a house next to the train tracks, then complaining about trains going past your house all day long!
I hope they can come up with some kind of comprimse, we can't afford to lose another track for the sake of progress.
Highland manages to get their program in and look where they are located. Right smack dab in the middle of a residential area. They manage to get their program in, with time constaints. I am sure some kind of deal could be worked out, because the Clarksville track, is way farther out than the Highland, Illinois track.
I guess the city doesn't look at the money racing brings into their town. We stay at one of the hotels on 79, when we go. Eat out at the local restraunts, check out the Governors Mall, etc....(well that makes me happy!) In other words we spend money in YOUR town, Clarksville. Just like every other out of towner that comes to the track. That's lost revenue if it closes! Clarksville's loss is Puducka's gain!

Good luck with your fight with city hall.
 
noise laws

Unfortunately, property owners can't always stop annexation by a city if they want to do that, just delay it sometimes. This is one of the reasons that Bobby Wente voluntarily annexed the track to Pontoon Beach. Granite City was pushing hard and Pontoon was the lesser of two evils.
With the big, fancy houses going up in the area behind Tri-City, I'm not sure how long Pontoon Beach will be able to hold out. I hear from a couple of people I know who live in that area (old timers who don't mind the noise) that the new neighbors are fussing already.
 
Because they can be annexed into the city if the residents vote for it in the rest of the city & there is no registered voters in that area. Just like Byrnes Mill is doing to House Springs ie Hardee's KFC & the other business.
 
You know, these stories really burn my butt. First off, these tracks (Highland, Belleville, Clarksville, etc) have been around for quite a while. It's not like these tracks have been built in the past 5 or 10 years. So my thinking is, if you don't like that type of noise ONCE a week for a few months, THEN DON'T MOVE TO/BUILD A HOME THAT'S CLOSE TO A RACE TRACK!! :mad:.

I love Clarksville! I usuallly go there at least once a year with friends. I certainly hope that this can be worked out; I would hate to hear this track closing due to ignorance.
 
I'm no lawyer but since the track has been there for 30 years It would seem this law would NOT effect something that was there BEFORE the law was passed Nor can you tell the track which has been in operation for 30 years what days you can be open(Sunday)
Kinda like telling a drug store you can only be open on Sundays
Click to expand...

It's called a "grandfather clause". I'm not sure if the track would be grandfathered in under that ordinance. But the general idea is that if something was in existence and conforming to law before the ordinance, then it cannot be made "non-conforming" by the ordinance. But the application of the grandfather clause varies on the situation.
 
It astounds me sometimes the stupidity of some people who move in to these expensive cookie cutter houses that are in less than desirable places i.e. near railroad tracks or highways, on floodplains etc. and then somehow expect the government to come to their rescue when they are inconvenienced by things that have been going on for sometimes decades.
 
omnipotentone53 said:
It astounds me sometimes the stupidity of some people who move in to these expensive cookie cutter houses that are in less than desirable places i.e. near railroad tracks or highways, on floodplains etc. and then somehow expect the government to come to their rescue when they are inconvenienced by things that have been going on for sometimes decades.
Click to expand...

I bought a house in the "rural" part of Cedar Hill. Nearest neighbor is 300 feet away. I think I am gonna complain about the farm equipment that is always going by. Those tractors really drive my dogs crazy.
 
Follow Up

Got an update.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009

Clarksville Speedway Fans and Participants,

This email is in follow up to last weeks email where we informed you
about the limitations that Clarksville City Councilman David Allen is
attempting to put on the racetrack through an unfair "noise
ordinance".

William and I, along with several others, including Billy Atkins from
Legends bank, did appear and speak on the behalf of the Clarksville
Speedway last week where David Allen introduced the proposed ordinance
to the safety committee which included several other City Council
members.

David Allen is relentless in his opinion of the Speedway. He seems to
be hung up on the Friday night show where our youth gather to drive
their street legal vehicles down the drag strip and otherwise
socialize. He fails to recognize the fact that these are street legal
vehicles which would otherwise be on the streets in an uncontrolled
environment if not for the speedway. Again, these vehicles are street
legal and would not otherwise violate any noise regulations regardless
of where driven in our city.

David Allen is attempting to restrict the tracks operating hours, days
of operation, and your enjoyment of the facility through a proposed
noise ordinance. This proposed ordinance would only allow the track to
operate during certain hours and only three days per week, one of
which must be Sunday between the hours of noon and 6 P.M..

We've added an Electronic Petition to our website
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LutLotLiquidations/9fcbf61a30/4d52226802/96a69a5170
which we are asking our supporters to sign. Please sign the petition
to help save the Speedway and your enjoyment of the facility.
Furthermore, if you live in the City Limits of Clarksville, please
contact your Councilman for your ward and ask that they vote against
the proposed ordinance. Contact information can be found for your
councilman here:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LutLotLiquidations/9fcbf61a30/4d52226802/aa46be1073


If contacting your Councilmember to ask them to vote against the
ordinance, please remain courteous and respectful as you'll get much
further with them. We also ask that there are no harrassing
communications to Mr. Allen as he is entitled to his opinion - even if
wrong.

Tonight should be a beautiful night for racing. Come out and join us!
William and I will be available most of the night and would welcome
the opportunity to chat with you.

Thanks again,
John McConnell
Clarksville Speedway
 
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