The Warren County Commission continued the final decision on the proposed Goon Speedway race track proposed for a property on 22245 Lix Road during a public hearing on the matter to May 14.

The matter was before the commission April 30 following an appeal from the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission that rejected the conditional use permit application for the race track.

As the matter came before the county commission as effectively a new matter, the applicants Robert and Alexis Alberternst presented their entire proposal for the track.

The track is located on the Alberternsts’ 27.38-acre property located off Lix Road. The proposed track will be in the northern portion of the property and is anticipated to be a 320-foot long by 180-foot wide track measuring 1/6 of a mile.

The proposal calls for 754 parking spots, primarily on grass, but Alexis Alberternst said there would generally be less than 300 vehicles at any one time.

The plan also calls for a 1,050-foot long entrance road, which would be a two-lane gravel road that would lead from Lix Road to the track.

Lighting for the track would be directional lighting pointing directly at the track, although Robert Alberternst said the goal would be to race during the day so that lights would not be necessary.

Dust from the dirt track would be controlled by the use of water on the track. The track would also have restrooms that meet county requirements.

One of the ongoing issues relating to the approval of the track has been the noise created by the vehicles on the track. The couple said that the track is primarily smaller vehicles, with the largest engine being 600 cc. Mufflers are required for all vehicles and the couple’s plan is to have a tree perimeter, future berm sound buffers and large wooden sponsorship banners to help reduce noise.

During the prior planning and zoning meeting, it had been suggested that the applicants get a sound study done, but they told the commissioners the cost would have been around $12,000 and they did not see the point in getting such a study done prior to approval of the project.

They told the commissioners they did get advice from HGC Noise Vibration Acoustics during a recent trip to a track in North Carolina. During that trip the couple also took decibel readings, both near the track and at varying distances from the track, including at a distance of 825 feet, which is the distance of the nearest neighbor’s home to the proposed track. Readings varied from around 100 decibels immediately near the track to approximately 70 decibels at the 825-foot mark for the loudest of the vehicles they intend to run at the track.

The couple said their goal was to have no more than 25 race dates per year from April to November for approximately six hours per race day, with proposed days being either Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday during a window from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

As the meeting was scheduled as a meeting allowing public comment the commissioners then divided those in attendance into for, against and neutral with the majority of those in attendance speaking against the proposed track.

Resident Ron Sloan said he is a sports photographer, specifically of racing events and noted that kart racing is where many youngsters who eventually wind up in the higher levels of motorsports start. He said he felt like approval of the track was a “no brainer.”

Samara Keller said she is a neighbor of the Alberternsts and she is in full support of the track. She said it would provide “good, clean fun for the kids,” and would provide opportunities not currently available.

Jareb and Sarah Collins also voiced support for the track. Sarah Collins said the track would provide a safe space for children to learn the sport and would provide a place for families to connect. Jareb Collins said he felt the track would be a great opportunity to get kids away from their digital screens and outside for a wholesome activity.

The primary opponents of the track have been the Bruns family. Doug and Nancy Bruns live at the property immediately to the north of the proposed race track. Doug Bruns requested that the county require engineered site plans and a traffic study, specifically for traffic along Lix Road. Bruns said he hired a sound engineer and said he fails to believe sound won’t be an issue at the track.

Nancy Bruns asked the commissioners to uphold planning and zoning’s rejection of the proposal, noting that the prior board gave the applicants every opportunity to answer the community's concerns. She said dealing with the potential of a race track next door has caused her undue stress and voiced concerns about how a track would affect her property and the environment.

Matt Bruns said he felt the proposal would be detrimental to nearby property owners and that he had concerns about the applicants and their willingness to follow the rules.

Michael Bruns also requested an engineered site plan noting that without such plans, how can residents be assured that the applicants are following the proper county guidelines.

In addition to the Bruns family, 10 other residents spoke against the track voicing a number of complaints including, environmental concerns, affects on property values, safety concerns regarding traffic on Lix Road and the effects of noise on their enjoyment of their properties.

Many of those in opposition said they weren’t against a race track, they just didn’t think this was the right place for a track.

A representative from McLaren Engineering hired by the Bruns said he did an analysis of sound levels on the property and estimated that if the track were in operation it would produce approximately 80 decibels at the property line. Normal conversation is approximately 60 decibels.

Following the public comment portion of the meeting, the commissioners asked questions of the applicants.

Commissioner Matt Flake asked the applicants to verify when they would race and the timeframe, suggesting they only race during the day.

Alexis Alberternst said the proposed 25 days was a cushion in case days were rained out. She said the idea would be that they would not race consecutive days, but only one day a week during the season. Robert Alberternst said they do not want to run the races at night, but needed to give themselves some room, especially during the summer months as due to the heat they wouldn’t want to race during the hottest part of the day.

Commissioner Joe Gildehaus asked whether there would be an ambulance on site and who would pay for that coverage. He also wanted to know whether there would be a concession stand.

Alexis Alberternst said they would pay for an ambulance to be on site and that there would be no concessions at least initially, although she would eventually like to offer some type of food option.

In response to another question the couple said they would have temporary bleachers and that the facility would be staffed on race days with 12 to 14 employees. They also noted they would not be allowing anyone to stay overnight on their property the day before or after races.

After the commissioners finished their questions, Commissioner Dave Mikus said he would like additional time to go over his notes. It was unanimously agreed 3-0 to continue the hearing for final decision to May 14 at 9 a.m.