Billy Golightly
06-22-2008, 09:13 PM
I've gotten some Pm's and talked with a few people at TF about my situation, but since I'm really having to thin stuff out I feel everyone should understand my reasons and thought process behind it. For starters, I'm not mad at anyone, anything, or the community or anything like that. I'm not getting out of trikes, not willingly at least (I'll get to that more in depth here in a bit).
Lets go back to the middle of 2005. I was 18 at the time. I met some guys that had built a MX track on a piece property in Suwannee County, but they had to walk away from it for what was purported at the time to be some issues with the land owner and obtaining proper zoning for the area. My parents own a large tract of land that Is where I live, and I have always thought and said that the place would make an awesome riding park just because of the varying terrain and the way the property is laid out...numerous people have said its the nicest piece of property in the county. I met these guys, we talked a bit and I showed them the place where I thought the track would be best suited...we worked out some more details, came up with some preliminary details and got our stuff together for our zoning hearing where we would find out if we would be granted the special exception for the property to build the track. I prepared relentlessly for about a month. Hours and hours everyday researching every bit of information I could that would be beneficial at the hearing, running over EVERY possible scenario in my head. Every scenario I ran through my head 4 layers deep. I put myself in their shoes and thought about the points, issues, and questions they would bring up. Then I thought through my own replies to those issues, then their counter reply, and yet another counter reply by me. Every question and issue that I was able to conceive and think of I ran through this process in my head. Every time I would come up with a POSSIBLE new issue or statement that could be made in offense of the application I made notes of it, and I kept running that *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited* through my head over and over and over and OVER until there was literally NO question or issue that would be brought up that I had not already thought of and found an answer for.
I assembled booklets of roughly 150-200 pages of information for each one of the chair people on the board. These booklets contained information such as environmental studies of public riding facilities in other states concerning issues like ground erosion, wild life habits around the activity, plant and tree growth. I compiled sound and noise testing adjacent to residents of other motocross tracks and riding areas, compiled information on property value trends on land and property next to and adjacent to other motocross tracks and parks all around the state, a total of about 8 different tracks with at least 4-5 properties adjacent to each one of those parks. I put in aerial views of our property where the track was proposed to be, drew in adjoining and adjacent land owners properties so it would be easy for board members to understand the distance relationships to what we were planning and doing. Link: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=48473
The zoning hearing that night was extremely intense. The outspoken neighbors against it numbered probably 20-25 total and were best described as “Moonbats”. These people were nuts, it wasn't just a case of NIMBY (Not in my back yard) but people that apparently believed with the long list of activities available for people to partake in this county (Like hanging out in the publix parking lot till 4:00AM on the weekends cause theres no where else to go) that a new venue of entertainment and economical prosperity for the area from tourism revenue was not welcome.
THANKFULLY, the zoning board seen through all of their idiocy and were able to thoughtfully and logically listen to both sides and form an educated opinion of the situation. There was however...a hitch. The sign posted at the property was required to have been there for 10 days before the hearing date. The date had been wrong on the sign and was not corrected before that 10 day period. This issue was however brought up and discussed at length during the hearing. It was determined that due to the all the “evidence” that had been provided both sides, there had been debate for both causes to open it and to deny it, that the requirements for a public meeting had been met and as such they took a vote on it that night. This made front page of our local newspaper, and thats when things started to REALLY heat up.
First we had this article: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=48845
And then the letters from the pissed off neighbors started showing up in our mailbox with all sorts of ridiculous claims and allegations. I have terrible parents, we're out to ruin everyones lives and destroy their hopes and dreams evidently. Another week went by and this article showed up in the newspaper: http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/homepage/local_story_073162436.html a long with about a dozen “letters to the editor” in that issue that addressed our family personally and we were painted out by these letters to be “profiteers of death and injury” for trying to open a race track. Have a read at a few of em yourself here:
“1#
Dear,Editor:
This letter is in reference to special exception zoing change
made by zoning board on feb 23 on allowing a racetrack
and campground to go in business on parcels north of county.I am
an adjacent land owner and i was not properly notified by the county.
According to the land development regulations,the board of adjustment is
to give public notice thereof,as well as due notice to all the parties involved.
They did inform in writing to some of the land owners that were north
of this venture with a buffer of 40acres,but failed to inform was how i was
overlooked when the other land owners are onseven to 30acers and mine is
a 300 acre parcel.
Sincerely,Stacey Worth
2#
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regards to the special exception recently passed
allowing an ATV/Dirt bike race track in my nice,quiet,safe community near the river.
Our community is stunned.
Just two years ago our community made it clear how we felt about
race tracks in the area when we fought a similar zoning change.Now,
an exemption that will decimate the way of life
we've so carefully chosen and developed had slipped through.
The big question everyone had asked us is why we didn't do
something to stop it?We would have loved to.Regretfully,only select
adjoining neighbors were notified with limited details.The sign on the
property sits on the end of very narrow dirt road with multiple
bind turns that dead ends at river,only two families drive down there.
The sing even had the wrong date on it up untill 5 days before the meeting!
In the last two weeks two deaths have incurred in gainesville on atv/dirt bike race tracks.Who knows how many were injured.
Is the county planning to an ambulance available during daylight hours.
In my earlier life i race dirt bikes and from experience,I can tell you,
no one wants to live near an atv/dirt bike race track.
Don't let one 20-year-olds' dream override the drem overrider the dreams
of the surrounding community members we have worked so hard for.
We can never get back what we will lose if this track goes through
for the benefit of one.
Thank for your time,Brett deutsch
3#
Dear Editor:
The front page story about the Atv/dirt bike race track that was
approved by zoning board in the fort union neighborhood took
virtually everyone in that neighborhood by surprise.We believe
the track owner successfully hid her intentions from her
neighbors,knowing that the last time a track was proposed for our
area approximately 100 neighbors showed up to protest it.The
property is near the end of a dead end road,so virtually no
neighbors saw the zoning sign.
The plan calls for racing from 8am to 8pm seven days a week,with an
estimated 450 carloads each week.Within a half mile from the race track
are two churches,a cemetery, the suwannee river(along with the florida wilderness trail),and many homes.The road leading to the track is a small
dirt road on which children often ride bikes and horses.None of the people
associated with any of these interests,no any families on the road,were
notified,nor were they mentioned in the hearing.
The property owners presented pages of information I conside
misleading to the zoning board in which they made claims that
such tracks raised adjoining property values and attracted wildlife.
Although the information was purported to be from various web sites,
the web addresses had been removed from every page,
preventing anyone from finding the sources to check for veracity
or context.
The propert owner ststed that having a race track had been her son's
dream for 12years.What about the dreams of all the neighbors who
have wored a lifetime to save for their homes and retirement?
How many people do you know who are clamoring to
live next door to a race track?
We are asking the property owners and the county to do the
right thing,and have this matter brought up in full light rather than having
neighbors upset because their voice couldn't be heard becuase
they weren't notified.If they truly believed they were doing something for
the community,this is how it should have been done,and
how we expect good neighbors to do it.
Caroline Coile
4#
Dear, Editor,
My family recently moved to live oak (Fort Union area)from
fort lauderdale.Our desire was to escape the noise,pollution,
crowding and stress,whice are common down south.
Unfortunately,it appears our dream is to be short-lived.One of
our neghnors hads petitioned to put in a racetrack for 4wheelers
that will be open to the public.
This is not welcome change for our area.
As new comers, we tolerated the occasional appearance of 4wheelers.
The end result of their vists is trash strewn about and the unpaved road
(the only access to our home)being torn up by them doing"donuts" with their machines.
It is still to be determined if the letter of the law was met in the
notification process(I believe virtually no one was aware of this),
but it most certainly did not meet the spirit.
Suwannee County needs to grow but in a sensible and well
planned fashion,neither piecemeal nor catering to special intertests.
If this is any indication of what to expect from our zoning board,
it does not bode well for suwannee County's future.
Rocky Stewart
5#
Dear, Editor:
On thursday,Feb 23, the suwannee couty zoning board
conducted a meeting at the live oak city hall.On their agenda
was a proposal for a variance in land usage that was zone
agricultural.The proposal was allow the building of a motorcycle/
Atv race track.The 80-acre tract of land is located in northern portion of
suwannee county,north of CR 132, and very close to the Florida
Sheriffs youth ranch.A sizeable gathering of people were in
attendance supporting the proposed zoning change.A very small
group of local residents were present to contest the zoning change.
Approximately 10 minutes into the proceedings it became very
apparent to me that the zoning board had already made up
their mind grant the variance.
Testimony was given by the petitioner stating the construction
of the race track would have a positive impact upon suwannee
county.How surrounding land values would not be affected or
could even increase in value.Do you really think that after this
track becomes operational that anyone would go to real estate office
and ask if they had any land for sale next to noisy race track.
I think not!
Next,the board allowed those who were not in favor of the zoning
change to state their thoughts.The mainconcern of those opposed
to the zoning change was the loss of property value and the
environmental noise pollution.Board chairman tommie jefferson
seemed to be amused by the pleas asking that the zoning change
be refused.I realiszed that all the pleading were falling on deaf ears.
Most of the people in attendance who opposed the zone change
had not become aware of the scheduled board meeting untill the
afternoon of the meeting.It was pointed out by the board that all
legal requirements had been followed.A legal notice had been run in
the suwannee democrat,a sing had been posted on the effected
property site and a written notice had been sent to the effected
residents who lived within 300feet of the proposed race track.
What the board did not take into consideration was the fact that
property owners who live within several miles of the race track
will be adversely effected also.
It was requsted that out of common courtesy and fairness
the board postpone its vote on the iuess untill the local
residents who will be effected by the race track are contacted and
allowed to testify.Jefferson rejected this request,stating he felt
no futther testimony was needed.
The board voted unanimously to allow the zoning change.
One member of the board exused herself from th voting due
to posible conflict of interest.She stated she had family members
who lived in the effected area.
By allowing this zoning change,the zoning board has placed
one person's personal financial gains far above the peace
and tranquillity of hundreds of citizens of suwanne county who will
be adversely effected by the change.These people,including myself,
purchased property in a part of the county that is zoned agricultural.
They wanted peace and quiet.After the construction of the race track,
that will come to an end.The track will be open from 8am until 8pm
Now, half of our life will be spent listening to unmuffled motorcycles
and ATV's racing on the track.The peace and quiet of country living will
be no more.
After seeing this zoning change occur,I think it would be in the
best interest of all concerned,that the board of county commissioners
adopt and ordinance and require all real estate agencies who sell
land in suwannee county place the following notice on the
property listing:
"WARNING:Even though the property you are considering
buying is zoned agricultural,there is always the possibility that the
suwannee county zoning board could change the zoning classification
and allow someone to build a race track in your backyard."
Respectively,
Leon gill jr.
#6
Dear, Editor,
Please imagine 40 motorcycles all going full throttle
12hours per day seven days a week within hearing distance
of your backyard.Then imagine a camping facility next to the
racetrack to fill the night with displeasing music and partying with
alcohol allowed.This noise can be heard over two miles away.
These are the plans of one family in a rural community that
hads for years prided itself in the quiet and serenity that can
only be found in such a rual setting.
On february 23 the suwannee county zoning
board agreed with the one family.Not with the entire
community of residents and landowners who voiced their
objections in no uncertain terms.
What led the board to this decision?
The zoning board is instructed by the comprehensive
zoning rules to address the affect this racetrack will
have on public health,safety,welfare,order,comfort,
appearance,prosperity,access impact,taffic flow and control,
fire or castastrophe,compatibility with existing land use,noise,glare,
odor,dust,and smoke.
The board is further instructed that stisfactory provision and
arroangements have been made concerning the following
matters:
.The Exist Land use pattern
.The Impact on pubic roads
.The impact on living conditions in the neghborhood
.The impact upon traffic congestion or other public
safety matters
.The impact of the proposed use upon property values
.The impact of the proposed use with regard to the scale
of needs of the neighborhood or the community Again,
the neighborhood of over a 2-mile radius is anxious to
know why the board failed to address each and every one of
issues.
The decision the zoning board had given this proposed permit is,
if not illegal,at the very least morally reprehensible.
I beliveve that a full review by the elected ruling bodies of the
county be taken.If not that,then alegal appeal should
be pursued.
Charles Bartley “
Heres one that came in the mail to us too:
Dear Golightly family:
I, along with every single neighboir I've spoken to, am extremely dismayed that you have chosen to destroy our neighborhood.
We all want to enjoy our land. What gives you the right to put the selfish wants of one person above the goals of an entire neighborhood? I clearly hear your ATVs from my office with all the doors and windows shut as it is. You are certainly entitled to enjoy yourself on your own property, but when you instead choose to invite hundreds of people, for money, to race on your property, that is no longer being a considerate neighbor, but a greedy, selfish, horrible one.
You says your son has this dream for twelve years. What about everybody else? Dont' you think they've had dreams, and usually for longer then twelve years, dreams of earning enough money so they could buy their own property, dreams of finding that dream property to retire on? Don't you remember selling those very properties to neighbors who dreamed of finding peace and quiet and a safe place to retire or rase a family? Don't you think all of us have worked long hours to pay the mortgages on our properties, properties that you are ripping the value from? What has your son done to work for his dream? Ridden an ATV Around?
Yes, I say the misleading "Data" you included in your proposal. As a realtor, I hope you understand county appraisals better then that. You've surely seen the realt data that shows that, in fact, property values plummet when a track moves in an area I find it hard to beleive you have more peopel come to you asking for property that is next to a race track then you have people asking for property that is quiet and private.
I work long hours to pay the mortgage on my property; I feel you have stolen my property's value from me, and with that, my work and dreams. I am not the only neighbor who feels this way. Over the past week I seen adults break down in tears, heard countless stories of sleepless neighrs, and even more stories I wont repeat that make it clear you are the single most disliked family in the neighborhood.
We expect we will be forced to sell our property and move now; you have destroyed our dream and our finances. Do not bother to bring us any offers; we will not deal with you or with Poole Realy, nor will any of the neighbors we've spoken to.
I hope you know that your liability for your riders does not end at your gate. If they leave your property drunk or reckless and have an accident, you will be held liable. I dont think any of your neighbors will have to much sympathy if one of their family members is hurt or killed because of the traffic.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coile, Phd.
Nice, eh? Ooooohhhh but thats not all. Then the SIGNS started showing up on the road in “Tip of the week, don't defecate on your neighbors.” “The Golden rule, do unto others as you would have done unto you. The Golightly rule: Do unto others before they find out.”. And then a few weeks later there was another one that said “FU 2” on it with some other gibberish about contacting the county to get it closed down before we were even open.
(Continued next post down, 20,000 character limit in this post)
Lets go back to the middle of 2005. I was 18 at the time. I met some guys that had built a MX track on a piece property in Suwannee County, but they had to walk away from it for what was purported at the time to be some issues with the land owner and obtaining proper zoning for the area. My parents own a large tract of land that Is where I live, and I have always thought and said that the place would make an awesome riding park just because of the varying terrain and the way the property is laid out...numerous people have said its the nicest piece of property in the county. I met these guys, we talked a bit and I showed them the place where I thought the track would be best suited...we worked out some more details, came up with some preliminary details and got our stuff together for our zoning hearing where we would find out if we would be granted the special exception for the property to build the track. I prepared relentlessly for about a month. Hours and hours everyday researching every bit of information I could that would be beneficial at the hearing, running over EVERY possible scenario in my head. Every scenario I ran through my head 4 layers deep. I put myself in their shoes and thought about the points, issues, and questions they would bring up. Then I thought through my own replies to those issues, then their counter reply, and yet another counter reply by me. Every question and issue that I was able to conceive and think of I ran through this process in my head. Every time I would come up with a POSSIBLE new issue or statement that could be made in offense of the application I made notes of it, and I kept running that *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited* through my head over and over and over and OVER until there was literally NO question or issue that would be brought up that I had not already thought of and found an answer for.
I assembled booklets of roughly 150-200 pages of information for each one of the chair people on the board. These booklets contained information such as environmental studies of public riding facilities in other states concerning issues like ground erosion, wild life habits around the activity, plant and tree growth. I compiled sound and noise testing adjacent to residents of other motocross tracks and riding areas, compiled information on property value trends on land and property next to and adjacent to other motocross tracks and parks all around the state, a total of about 8 different tracks with at least 4-5 properties adjacent to each one of those parks. I put in aerial views of our property where the track was proposed to be, drew in adjoining and adjacent land owners properties so it would be easy for board members to understand the distance relationships to what we were planning and doing. Link: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=48473
The zoning hearing that night was extremely intense. The outspoken neighbors against it numbered probably 20-25 total and were best described as “Moonbats”. These people were nuts, it wasn't just a case of NIMBY (Not in my back yard) but people that apparently believed with the long list of activities available for people to partake in this county (Like hanging out in the publix parking lot till 4:00AM on the weekends cause theres no where else to go) that a new venue of entertainment and economical prosperity for the area from tourism revenue was not welcome.
THANKFULLY, the zoning board seen through all of their idiocy and were able to thoughtfully and logically listen to both sides and form an educated opinion of the situation. There was however...a hitch. The sign posted at the property was required to have been there for 10 days before the hearing date. The date had been wrong on the sign and was not corrected before that 10 day period. This issue was however brought up and discussed at length during the hearing. It was determined that due to the all the “evidence” that had been provided both sides, there had been debate for both causes to open it and to deny it, that the requirements for a public meeting had been met and as such they took a vote on it that night. This made front page of our local newspaper, and thats when things started to REALLY heat up.
First we had this article: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=48845
And then the letters from the pissed off neighbors started showing up in our mailbox with all sorts of ridiculous claims and allegations. I have terrible parents, we're out to ruin everyones lives and destroy their hopes and dreams evidently. Another week went by and this article showed up in the newspaper: http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/homepage/local_story_073162436.html a long with about a dozen “letters to the editor” in that issue that addressed our family personally and we were painted out by these letters to be “profiteers of death and injury” for trying to open a race track. Have a read at a few of em yourself here:
“1#
Dear,Editor:
This letter is in reference to special exception zoing change
made by zoning board on feb 23 on allowing a racetrack
and campground to go in business on parcels north of county.I am
an adjacent land owner and i was not properly notified by the county.
According to the land development regulations,the board of adjustment is
to give public notice thereof,as well as due notice to all the parties involved.
They did inform in writing to some of the land owners that were north
of this venture with a buffer of 40acres,but failed to inform was how i was
overlooked when the other land owners are onseven to 30acers and mine is
a 300 acre parcel.
Sincerely,Stacey Worth
2#
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regards to the special exception recently passed
allowing an ATV/Dirt bike race track in my nice,quiet,safe community near the river.
Our community is stunned.
Just two years ago our community made it clear how we felt about
race tracks in the area when we fought a similar zoning change.Now,
an exemption that will decimate the way of life
we've so carefully chosen and developed had slipped through.
The big question everyone had asked us is why we didn't do
something to stop it?We would have loved to.Regretfully,only select
adjoining neighbors were notified with limited details.The sign on the
property sits on the end of very narrow dirt road with multiple
bind turns that dead ends at river,only two families drive down there.
The sing even had the wrong date on it up untill 5 days before the meeting!
In the last two weeks two deaths have incurred in gainesville on atv/dirt bike race tracks.Who knows how many were injured.
Is the county planning to an ambulance available during daylight hours.
In my earlier life i race dirt bikes and from experience,I can tell you,
no one wants to live near an atv/dirt bike race track.
Don't let one 20-year-olds' dream override the drem overrider the dreams
of the surrounding community members we have worked so hard for.
We can never get back what we will lose if this track goes through
for the benefit of one.
Thank for your time,Brett deutsch
3#
Dear Editor:
The front page story about the Atv/dirt bike race track that was
approved by zoning board in the fort union neighborhood took
virtually everyone in that neighborhood by surprise.We believe
the track owner successfully hid her intentions from her
neighbors,knowing that the last time a track was proposed for our
area approximately 100 neighbors showed up to protest it.The
property is near the end of a dead end road,so virtually no
neighbors saw the zoning sign.
The plan calls for racing from 8am to 8pm seven days a week,with an
estimated 450 carloads each week.Within a half mile from the race track
are two churches,a cemetery, the suwannee river(along with the florida wilderness trail),and many homes.The road leading to the track is a small
dirt road on which children often ride bikes and horses.None of the people
associated with any of these interests,no any families on the road,were
notified,nor were they mentioned in the hearing.
The property owners presented pages of information I conside
misleading to the zoning board in which they made claims that
such tracks raised adjoining property values and attracted wildlife.
Although the information was purported to be from various web sites,
the web addresses had been removed from every page,
preventing anyone from finding the sources to check for veracity
or context.
The propert owner ststed that having a race track had been her son's
dream for 12years.What about the dreams of all the neighbors who
have wored a lifetime to save for their homes and retirement?
How many people do you know who are clamoring to
live next door to a race track?
We are asking the property owners and the county to do the
right thing,and have this matter brought up in full light rather than having
neighbors upset because their voice couldn't be heard becuase
they weren't notified.If they truly believed they were doing something for
the community,this is how it should have been done,and
how we expect good neighbors to do it.
Caroline Coile
4#
Dear, Editor,
My family recently moved to live oak (Fort Union area)from
fort lauderdale.Our desire was to escape the noise,pollution,
crowding and stress,whice are common down south.
Unfortunately,it appears our dream is to be short-lived.One of
our neghnors hads petitioned to put in a racetrack for 4wheelers
that will be open to the public.
This is not welcome change for our area.
As new comers, we tolerated the occasional appearance of 4wheelers.
The end result of their vists is trash strewn about and the unpaved road
(the only access to our home)being torn up by them doing"donuts" with their machines.
It is still to be determined if the letter of the law was met in the
notification process(I believe virtually no one was aware of this),
but it most certainly did not meet the spirit.
Suwannee County needs to grow but in a sensible and well
planned fashion,neither piecemeal nor catering to special intertests.
If this is any indication of what to expect from our zoning board,
it does not bode well for suwannee County's future.
Rocky Stewart
5#
Dear, Editor:
On thursday,Feb 23, the suwannee couty zoning board
conducted a meeting at the live oak city hall.On their agenda
was a proposal for a variance in land usage that was zone
agricultural.The proposal was allow the building of a motorcycle/
Atv race track.The 80-acre tract of land is located in northern portion of
suwannee county,north of CR 132, and very close to the Florida
Sheriffs youth ranch.A sizeable gathering of people were in
attendance supporting the proposed zoning change.A very small
group of local residents were present to contest the zoning change.
Approximately 10 minutes into the proceedings it became very
apparent to me that the zoning board had already made up
their mind grant the variance.
Testimony was given by the petitioner stating the construction
of the race track would have a positive impact upon suwannee
county.How surrounding land values would not be affected or
could even increase in value.Do you really think that after this
track becomes operational that anyone would go to real estate office
and ask if they had any land for sale next to noisy race track.
I think not!
Next,the board allowed those who were not in favor of the zoning
change to state their thoughts.The mainconcern of those opposed
to the zoning change was the loss of property value and the
environmental noise pollution.Board chairman tommie jefferson
seemed to be amused by the pleas asking that the zoning change
be refused.I realiszed that all the pleading were falling on deaf ears.
Most of the people in attendance who opposed the zone change
had not become aware of the scheduled board meeting untill the
afternoon of the meeting.It was pointed out by the board that all
legal requirements had been followed.A legal notice had been run in
the suwannee democrat,a sing had been posted on the effected
property site and a written notice had been sent to the effected
residents who lived within 300feet of the proposed race track.
What the board did not take into consideration was the fact that
property owners who live within several miles of the race track
will be adversely effected also.
It was requsted that out of common courtesy and fairness
the board postpone its vote on the iuess untill the local
residents who will be effected by the race track are contacted and
allowed to testify.Jefferson rejected this request,stating he felt
no futther testimony was needed.
The board voted unanimously to allow the zoning change.
One member of the board exused herself from th voting due
to posible conflict of interest.She stated she had family members
who lived in the effected area.
By allowing this zoning change,the zoning board has placed
one person's personal financial gains far above the peace
and tranquillity of hundreds of citizens of suwanne county who will
be adversely effected by the change.These people,including myself,
purchased property in a part of the county that is zoned agricultural.
They wanted peace and quiet.After the construction of the race track,
that will come to an end.The track will be open from 8am until 8pm
Now, half of our life will be spent listening to unmuffled motorcycles
and ATV's racing on the track.The peace and quiet of country living will
be no more.
After seeing this zoning change occur,I think it would be in the
best interest of all concerned,that the board of county commissioners
adopt and ordinance and require all real estate agencies who sell
land in suwannee county place the following notice on the
property listing:
"WARNING:Even though the property you are considering
buying is zoned agricultural,there is always the possibility that the
suwannee county zoning board could change the zoning classification
and allow someone to build a race track in your backyard."
Respectively,
Leon gill jr.
#6
Dear, Editor,
Please imagine 40 motorcycles all going full throttle
12hours per day seven days a week within hearing distance
of your backyard.Then imagine a camping facility next to the
racetrack to fill the night with displeasing music and partying with
alcohol allowed.This noise can be heard over two miles away.
These are the plans of one family in a rural community that
hads for years prided itself in the quiet and serenity that can
only be found in such a rual setting.
On february 23 the suwannee county zoning
board agreed with the one family.Not with the entire
community of residents and landowners who voiced their
objections in no uncertain terms.
What led the board to this decision?
The zoning board is instructed by the comprehensive
zoning rules to address the affect this racetrack will
have on public health,safety,welfare,order,comfort,
appearance,prosperity,access impact,taffic flow and control,
fire or castastrophe,compatibility with existing land use,noise,glare,
odor,dust,and smoke.
The board is further instructed that stisfactory provision and
arroangements have been made concerning the following
matters:
.The Exist Land use pattern
.The Impact on pubic roads
.The impact on living conditions in the neghborhood
.The impact upon traffic congestion or other public
safety matters
.The impact of the proposed use upon property values
.The impact of the proposed use with regard to the scale
of needs of the neighborhood or the community Again,
the neighborhood of over a 2-mile radius is anxious to
know why the board failed to address each and every one of
issues.
The decision the zoning board had given this proposed permit is,
if not illegal,at the very least morally reprehensible.
I beliveve that a full review by the elected ruling bodies of the
county be taken.If not that,then alegal appeal should
be pursued.
Charles Bartley “
Heres one that came in the mail to us too:
Dear Golightly family:
I, along with every single neighboir I've spoken to, am extremely dismayed that you have chosen to destroy our neighborhood.
We all want to enjoy our land. What gives you the right to put the selfish wants of one person above the goals of an entire neighborhood? I clearly hear your ATVs from my office with all the doors and windows shut as it is. You are certainly entitled to enjoy yourself on your own property, but when you instead choose to invite hundreds of people, for money, to race on your property, that is no longer being a considerate neighbor, but a greedy, selfish, horrible one.
You says your son has this dream for twelve years. What about everybody else? Dont' you think they've had dreams, and usually for longer then twelve years, dreams of earning enough money so they could buy their own property, dreams of finding that dream property to retire on? Don't you remember selling those very properties to neighbors who dreamed of finding peace and quiet and a safe place to retire or rase a family? Don't you think all of us have worked long hours to pay the mortgages on our properties, properties that you are ripping the value from? What has your son done to work for his dream? Ridden an ATV Around?
Yes, I say the misleading "Data" you included in your proposal. As a realtor, I hope you understand county appraisals better then that. You've surely seen the realt data that shows that, in fact, property values plummet when a track moves in an area I find it hard to beleive you have more peopel come to you asking for property that is next to a race track then you have people asking for property that is quiet and private.
I work long hours to pay the mortgage on my property; I feel you have stolen my property's value from me, and with that, my work and dreams. I am not the only neighbor who feels this way. Over the past week I seen adults break down in tears, heard countless stories of sleepless neighrs, and even more stories I wont repeat that make it clear you are the single most disliked family in the neighborhood.
We expect we will be forced to sell our property and move now; you have destroyed our dream and our finances. Do not bother to bring us any offers; we will not deal with you or with Poole Realy, nor will any of the neighbors we've spoken to.
I hope you know that your liability for your riders does not end at your gate. If they leave your property drunk or reckless and have an accident, you will be held liable. I dont think any of your neighbors will have to much sympathy if one of their family members is hurt or killed because of the traffic.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coile, Phd.
Nice, eh? Ooooohhhh but thats not all. Then the SIGNS started showing up on the road in “Tip of the week, don't defecate on your neighbors.” “The Golden rule, do unto others as you would have done unto you. The Golightly rule: Do unto others before they find out.”. And then a few weeks later there was another one that said “FU 2” on it with some other gibberish about contacting the county to get it closed down before we were even open.
(Continued next post down, 20,000 character limit in this post)