The owners of Hickory Ridge Motorsport Park received unanimous support from the Warren County Commission Jan. 23 to expand events at their facility on Highway B. The ruling was a rejection of the latest appeal from a group of nearby residents.

“I have no problem going forward with the (conditional use permit),” said Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus, who said the commission had not received any information about accidents or problems at the facility that would cause concern.

Hickory Ridge owners George and Dana Heath applied in late 2019 for a change to their conditional use permit (CUP) to double the number of yearly truck pulls and mud runs at the track to 10. They also sought to increase the facility’s occupancy limit to 1,500 people and add merchandise sales.

Hickory Ridge Motorsport Park is located about 7 miles southwest of Pendleton.

County planning and zoning officials approved the changes to the CUP in November, limiting the 10 yearly events to only take place across five total weekends. 

A group of nearby residents, who have opposed the track since it was proposed, appealed that ruling to the county commission. They repeated their concerns about noise disturbance and dangerous traffic volumes on Highway B, along with other objections.

Commissioners voted 3-0 on Jan. 23 to deny the appeal and allow the expansion of events and participants.

Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson rejected some opponents’ repeated suggestion that traffic to Hickory Ridge would create a safety risk on Highway B.

“I understand people’s concern, but this county is growing and it’s going to continue to grow. And that highway is there for everyone to use,” Hampson commented.

The Heaths expressed appreciation for the commission’s decision.

“We appreciate the support from the community and our participating associations. We are extremely pleased with the ruling and want to thank the county commissioners,” said George Heath. “We can now start planning our 2020 events for Hickory Ridge Motorsport Park, and they can be found on our Facebook page.”

The modified permit for Hickory Ridge also eliminates a two-year renewal requirement that the track had been subject to since first being approved in 2016. On the other hand, track operators going forward are required to notify nearby neighbors two weeks prior to events. 

Hickory Ridge is also required to provide security during events.

In a statement emailed to The Record, attorney Will Goldstein, representing oppopponents of the track, indicated additional measures will be taken against the track.

“Citizens of Warren County appeared before the commission and expressed deep concerns about how this race track would impact the environment and the safety and greater well being of the community,” Goldstein wrote. “The commission had an opportunity to address their concerns by building in provisions to ensure that this project did not create undue noise pollution, did not contaminate the surrounding well water, did maintain adequate fire and security personnel and did prevent undue traffic congestion on Highway B. 

“Instead, the Commission ignored their concerns and issued an indefinite conditional use permit. While we are deeply disappointed, our fight has just begun.”