Council to consider zoning district that could allow motorsports park

Posted at 1:58 pm February 8, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Horizon-Center-Motorsports-Track-6-Feb-11-2020 — *Part of the site where a motorsports park could be built on the back side of Horizon Center in west Oak Ridge is pictured above on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)*

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider a zoning ordinance amendment that could allow a motorsports park.

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 being considered by Council at 7 p.m. Monday, February 8, does 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 approved. Other permitted uses would be an amphitheater, athletic facility, fairground, amusement park, and zoo.

Proposed developments would be evaluated in detail during a site plan review by the city.

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.”

The Oak Ridge City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, February 8. You can review the agenda here. The meeting will be virtual, online only. You can watch it here. Read the proposed ordinance amendment here. It would have to be approved in two readings, or meetings. Read the Oak Ridge Community Development memo about the zoning ordinance amendment here.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning ordinance amendment during a January 21 meeting.

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