Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-03-08-050 — NORTHWEST ORANGE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION/cont. 9-4-03

Request: Special Exception in A-1 (agricultural) zone for an indoor/outdoor recreational use and Variance to allow unpaved parking in lieu of paved (NOTE: The applicant wants to operate an outdoor quarter midget race track facility at the northwest portion of the property just south of the existing tower).

Decision: Denied

Hearing: This request was continued from the August 7, 2003 BZA meeting. The BZA continued the request to allow the applicant to submit information regarding specific race and practice times, noise abatement measures and lighting specifics. The applicant submitted the information as requested by the BZA. They explained the information and indicated they would comply with the County's Noise and Lighting Ordinances. The applicant's noise expert explained the noise study he conducted. Several supporters of the Mid-Fla Quarter Midget association spoke in favor of the request. A representative of the Northwest Orange County Improvement Association questioned the need for any specific hours of operation. The homeowner to the immediate west spoke in opposition. He had concerns about the effectiveness of the noise barrier and allowing extended hours of operation for this facility when the landfill to his north had more restricted hours of operation. A spokesperson for the residents of Zellwood Station spoke in opposition. He indicated this request was not appropriate for this area. The proposed use was difficult to monitor and the area is comprised of single family homes. The BZA concluded the request was not compatible with the surrounding uses and represented a detrimental intrusion in a residential area. Staff received 61 commentaries in opposition to this request.