Opponents and supporters of a proposed drag strip in northern Lancaster County are gearing up for a battle at Wednesday’s Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission meeting.

Both sides are expected to appear in force for a public hearing on the proposal, which is scheduled for the end of the meeting that starts at 1 p.m.

Even though the hearing room holds about 150 people, the Planning Department has made arrangements to have an adjacent conference room open to handle any overflow.

Greg Sanford, owner of Nebraska Motorplex, wants to put a drag strip on about 160 acres of land on the east side of U.S. 77 between Branched Oak and Davey roads.

In addition to the track, Sanford’s plans include bleachers, starting and observation towers, various buildings, 602 parking spaces and initial seating for up to 5,000 people.

According to information filed with the Planning Department, racing would occur virtually every weekend from March to November, with some events starting as early as 8 a.m. and lasting until midnight.

Sanford has said he hopes to host regional and national events.

Those details have neighbors of the proposed track up in arms.

Neighbors have cited noise, traffic and environmental concerns related to the proposed track.

On a Web site they created to air their concerns, neighbors said a drag racing strip would “affect the quality of our peaceful country existence as well as negatively impacting our real estate values.”

A many as 50 neighbors attended Planning Commission and County Board hearings earlier this year to oppose a soil mining permit Sanford sought on the site, which they called a back-door attempt to get a race track approved. The permit was eventually denied.

Area resident Karen Kurbis said she expects at least that many to attend Wednesday’s hearing, where neighbors plan to present a petition opposing the development.

Sanford said he has talked to a few of the neighbors and most do not seem willing to compromise on the issue of a race track.

Kurbis said that’s true. “We’re not interested in a race track out there under any circumstances,” she said.

But the track does have many supporters.

Sanford said he expects at least 50-60 supporters and possibly more at Wednesday’s meeting.

Supporters also have created a Web site and have sent dozens of letters to the Planning Commission.

Even with that support and the support of some current and former public officials, Sanford faces an uphill battle.

For one, the Planning Department has recommended denial of the drag strip application.

Planner Mike DeKalb said one reason for that is lack of information regarding noise.

“That’s still a big issue that’s unaddressed,” he said.

Sanford said he tried to work with the department on getting noise measurements but found them uncooperative.

He conceded neighbors would hear noise from a drag strip, but, “Is it going to be as bad as they say it will be? No.”

Sanford applied for a special permit for his drag strip under the county’s provisions for recreational facilities. But the County Board decided more specific language was needed to address race tracks.

The proposed changes, which are largely based on the city’s rules for race tracks, will be part of a hearing immediately preceding the hearing on the drag strip.

Sanford said he’s concerned by the proposed changes. If they are approved, he said, it will make it impossible to locate a race track anywhere in the county.

He also said he’s frustrated by those who who say they aren’t opposed to a race track in the county but then don’t support it when one is proposed.

One of the issues that has been raised it that this is not the appropriate area for a race track, even though Sanford said a motorsports task force identified it as a possible location.

If it’s not the right area, he said, “Well find me the right area. What is the right area?

“If they don’t want a motorsports facility in the county,” Sanford said, “just tell me.”

Kurbis disagreed with Sanford about the task force recommending the site, saying it never issued a report and kept scant minutes of its meetings.

As for the prospects for victory, she said she wasn’t willing to predict what the Planning Commission will do. But whatever happens Wednesday, she realizes it’s just one step in the process.

“The only thing that really matters is when we get to the County Board,” she said.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.

If you go

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday on a proposed drag strip on land along U.S. 77 between Branched Oak and Davey roads. The meeting begins at 1 p.m., and the hearing is the last item on the agenda.

On the Web:

www.nemotorplex.com

www.lincolnneedsadragstrip.com

http://cprlife.org