The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss a special recreation district that would allow a motorsports park, among other potential uses.
The special recreation district is being considered as a zoning ordinance amendment. The Planning Commission will meet online, and the meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday, February 18).
A motorsports park has been proposed at the Horizon Center in west Oak Ridge. The proposal has both supporters and detractors.
The zoning ordinance amendment would not endorse that specific proposal. Instead, it would create a new zoning district, the special recreation district, which could be used for large-scale recreation and entertainment developments.
A motorsports park would be one of the permitted uses in the new zoning district, if it is recommended to Council by Planning Commission and approved by Council. Other permitted uses would be an amphitheater, athletic facility, fairground, amusement park, and zoo.
Specific proposed developments would be evaluated in detail during a site plan review by the city.
Oak Ridge Today has previously reported that the amended ordinance would define a motorsports park as a “facility with an engineered and paved course or track intended for recreational and other uses, including vehicle testing, driving skills activities, competitions; and including improvements normally associated with such facilities such as parking, loading, or unloading areas, viewing areas, concessions, restroom facilities, administrative structures, and maintenance storage areas.”
You can review the Planning Commission agenda here. The meeting will be virtual, online only. You can watch it here.
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