Motorcycle track zoning change denied

Following months of debate, the Amherst County Board of Supervisors denied a zoning change Tuesday that would have allowed motorcycle tracks in agricultural districts.

Supervisors voted 4-1, with Vice Chairman Chris Adams voting no, to turn down a recent recommendation from the Amherst County Planning Commission to permit the tracks, defined in proposed zoning as “off-highway vehicle recreation facilities.”

“I’m not in favor of this use of land in the agricultural district,” said Supervisor Ray Vandall, who moved for denial.

Ken Beck of James River Recreation Center sought the change, needed for him to have zoning regulations in place to proceed with a track near the U.S. 29 Bypass in Madison Heights.

Beck was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

Supervisors had delayed action after an April 21 public hearing regarding the zoning change. Beck and several supporters said it would be a good leisure attraction for the county, while several opponents raised concerns over noise.

The county attorney recently informed the board that it needs to change the county’s noise ordinance, which could be considered unconstitutional if challenged in court, based on a recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling.

Since noise was a component of the proposed track, the board originally opted to wait until a new ordinance was in place. However, the board later learned it needed to make a decision by August based on a zoning procedure that is now out of date but was in effect at the time of the hearing.

Jeremy Bryant, director of planning and zoning, said Beck would have to wait 12 months to reapply for the same change, based on current zoning regulations.

In other business:

n The board voted to authorize the county attorney to write to Circuit Court Judge Michael G. Gamble asking that he set a date for a special election for county treasurer. Donald Wood, the current treasurer who has served since 1971, plans to retire Dec. 31, 2009.

n Supervisors voted to accept bids for proposed expansion of the Coolwell Convenience Center, which has an estimated cost of roughly $478,000.

n Supervisors voted to establish a personal property tax relief rate for the 2009-2010 operating year that began July 1.

n The board voted to amend the county credit card policy to include prohibition of the purchase of any alcohol, illegal drugs or other controlled substances, which includes gifts for prospective businesses and county-sponsored or co-sponsored events. The board adopted a policy in 2007 that allows designated employees to use county-issued credit cards for transactions related to county business.

n Supervisors voted to appropriate nearly $48,000 to Central Virginia Community College for site development costs associated with a new culinary arts building in Lynchburg, which they agreed to pay to CVCC over a two-year period starting this year. The project’s total cost is $350,000 and Amherst County’s share, based on population, is 14 percent of that.