Drag Strip Land Targeted by Holt from WaltonTribune.com
Drag strip land targeted by Holt
By Stephen Milligan
The Walton Tribune
Published March 10, 2010
SOCIAL CIRCLE — A new wrinkle has appeared in the battle over the proposed motorsports complex along Interstate 20 in Social Circle, as a local state representative is taking the fight to the capitol.
Rep. Doug Holt, R-Social Circle, is looking to propose legislation to the state assembly to amend the city charter to de-annex the land owned by Donnie Clack, who has been pushing for months to get his property re-zoned and his application approved to begin construction on a motorsports complex, including an 1/8-mile drag strip.
“It’s mainly to put an option on the table to resolve this drag strip issue,” Holt said. “We could put a permanent end to this discussion.”
Holt’s District 112 covers primarily Newton and Morgan counties, but he said the portion of Social Circle within Newton — including Clack’s property — is of great concern to him right now.
“(The drag strip) is dramatically out of character with that region,” Holt said. “It would dramatically undermine the tech park at Stanton Springs.”
Social Circle City Manager Doug White said de-annexation was a drastic step that would negatively impact the city.
“We think we have a vested interest in that area,” White said. “We hope to see it develop as a gateway to our community. We would hope it can be resolved without resorting to legislation.”
Holt, however, sees little alternative to stop the motor sports complex from winning approval with the planning and zoning board.
“The city almost can’t say no to it,” Holt said. “We could cure the problem through de-annexation.”
Clack said his first reaction to the possible legislation was “shock,” and said legislative action was premature and misguided.
“I’d like to see what studies he’s done or seen to convince him this was the best action,” Clack said. “Does he have all the public in mind or just the elite few?”
Holt has not formally presented any legislation to the house and said no action would be taken until he has full approval from the entire local delegation, including Rep. Jeff May, R-Monroe, and Sen. John Douglas, R-Social Circle.
“We need to try everything to resolve this,” Holt said.
By Stephen Milligan
The Walton Tribune
Published March 10, 2010
SOCIAL CIRCLE — A new wrinkle has appeared in the battle over the proposed motorsports complex along Interstate 20 in Social Circle, as a local state representative is taking the fight to the capitol.
Rep. Doug Holt, R-Social Circle, is looking to propose legislation to the state assembly to amend the city charter to de-annex the land owned by Donnie Clack, who has been pushing for months to get his property re-zoned and his application approved to begin construction on a motorsports complex, including an 1/8-mile drag strip.
“It’s mainly to put an option on the table to resolve this drag strip issue,” Holt said. “We could put a permanent end to this discussion.”
Holt’s District 112 covers primarily Newton and Morgan counties, but he said the portion of Social Circle within Newton — including Clack’s property — is of great concern to him right now.
“(The drag strip) is dramatically out of character with that region,” Holt said. “It would dramatically undermine the tech park at Stanton Springs.”
Social Circle City Manager Doug White said de-annexation was a drastic step that would negatively impact the city.
“We think we have a vested interest in that area,” White said. “We hope to see it develop as a gateway to our community. We would hope it can be resolved without resorting to legislation.”
Holt, however, sees little alternative to stop the motor sports complex from winning approval with the planning and zoning board.
“The city almost can’t say no to it,” Holt said. “We could cure the problem through de-annexation.”
Clack said his first reaction to the possible legislation was “shock,” and said legislative action was premature and misguided.
“I’d like to see what studies he’s done or seen to convince him this was the best action,” Clack said. “Does he have all the public in mind or just the elite few?”
Holt has not formally presented any legislation to the house and said no action would be taken until he has full approval from the entire local delegation, including Rep. Jeff May, R-Monroe, and Sen. John Douglas, R-Social Circle.
“We need to try everything to resolve this,” Holt said.
posted by David @ 5:45 PM
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