A plea for providing a recreational area for youth versus the need for peace and quiet in the country was the subject of heated debate between those proposing a public race track and nearby neighbors at a Zoning Board meeting Feb. 23. The Board voted 5/0 in favor of the track.

Enola Golightly and her husband who own 160 acres located 12 miles north of Live Oak in the Fort Union area proposed to designate 80 acres of their land for a race track opened to the public. The business will allow All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), including dirt bikes and four wheelers, to race and ride. The Golightlys also plan to provide an area for parking and camping on the land and will install an office, ticket booth, restrooms and an area for spectators. The plan will call for a septic, water well and an electric hookup.

The Golightlys’ son, William Golightly, who will manage the business, told the Board his plans call for 10 acres designated for racing and 40 acres for open riding between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The business owners project having 50 vehicles coming on the weekdays and 100 on the weekends. The business will allow 40 riders on the track at one time, with timed sessions.

Following William Golightly’s presentation was a debate full of emotion by participants with concerns for and against the track. Several neighbors adjoining the property expressed concerns about the noise level.

William Golightly said the ATVs will not exceed 98 decibels, in conjunction with current regulations. Referring to a study he brought before the Board, he predicted from 1/4 of a mile away the noise level will be like hearing a faint train or dogs barking.

“You will be able to hear the ATVs but they won’t be loud,” he said.

“You are comparing this sound to momentary trains or dogs barking,” said Leon Gill, who lives about 3/4 of a mile away from the Golightlys’ property. “How can you compare it with 40 motorcycles roaring at one time? And this will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week?”

“I really cherish the quiet, solitude and beauty that surrounds me,” said Grace Marie Bartley who owns property adjoining the Golightlys. “It will have a grossly negative effect on our living conditions.”

Bartley and her husband, Charlie Bartley, spoke out extensively about the issue and presented the Board a map outlining the numerous areas that would be impacted by the track. The Bartleys’ live in Gainesville but visit their property regularly and plan to retire there in about five years. The edge of their property is about 1/4 of a mile from the business site.

Other issues brought up by several neighbors were whether the track would cause adjoining property value to decrease, how the business would monitor ATVs trespassing on adjoining properties, whether the increased traffic would produce significant wear and tear on surrounding dirt roads, whether underage drinking would be policed and how the business would attend to riders getting injured.

William Golightly said fencing would be installed around the property to prevent trespassing and dirt mounds with trees and shrubbery would be installed as sound buffers. Though drinking will be allowed, he said it will be monitored and underage drinking will be prohibited. He said the business will have EMS on site during races and will also have medically trained staff to assist with injuries.

The Golightlys reiterated that a family atmosphere would be implemented. They said riders will be required to have safety gear, including a helmet and children should be monitored by parents. The Golightlys said they will also have liability insurance for potential injuries

“There is no place for young people to go for recreation and this will provide an organized sport to do,” William Golightly said. “I think this setup will limit injuries of unsupervised children and deaths on the highways and prevent riders from trespassing on private property and riding illegally on public property.”

Several families who are involved in the sport explained the opportunities it provides for family time, exercise and fun. Also mentioned was that many of them currently must travel to Gainesville for the sport, spending several thousands of dollars they say could be generated in Suwannee County.

The Bartleys said they are all for youth having an area for recreation but did not want it close to their property.

“If we can’t put this out in the middle of nowhere, I don’t know where we can put it,” Enola Golightly said.

Board member Gary Martin moved to amend the resolution to restrict the business to operating during daylight hours only, not exceeding 8 p.m. to avoid the issue of dangerous riding in the dark by some ATVs that may not have lights.

Martin also moved to enforce the Golightlys to make a good faith agreement that the noise level will not exceed the level promised in the agreement.

All neighbors within 300 feet from the business site were notified by the Zoning Department about the track plans.

The track will have a $10 fee at the door with additional fees for racing. Organized races will be scheduled monthly.

William Golightly said in an interview later they plan to have the business open within 90 days, provided everything goes as planned.

“We’re currently working on construction and cleanup,” he said.

“William has been riding since he was 6 months old,” Enola Golightly said in an interview later. “We never intended to hurt our neighbors’ feelings, but having the track has been our son’s dream since we bought the land 12 years ago.”

Vanessa Fultz may be reached by calling 1-386-362-1734 ext. 130 or by emailing vanessa.fultz@gaflnews.com.