Hearing Set for Rome Speedway Rezoning for Industrial Development

Residents in the nearby Spring Creek community are mobilizing against a proposed speculative rezoning of the Rome Speedway for industrial development.

The Rome Floyd Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the application at its Thursday meeting set for 2:30 p.m. in City Hall, 601 Broad St. The citizen board’s recommendation will go to the Floyd County Commission for action at its Aug. 27 meeting.

Owners of the longtime racetrack at 1933 Chulio Road are seeking Heavy Industrial zoning for the 130-plus acres on five parcels that stretch between U.S. 411 and Chulio.

A significant issue from the Rome Floyd Planning Department’s perspective is that the rezoning would be for marketing purposes with no specific use cited. The closest industrial property is Enterprise Corner, controlled by the Rome Floyd Development Authority.

“While the development authority will likely support this request, this property is privately owned and therefore any outcome related to the development of this property is potentially more unpredictable,” the staff report notes.

Also, the frontage on U.S. 411 is relatively short and there’s a weight limit of 37,000 pounds on Chulio Road.

Letters from a number of residents in the established rural area are included in the application paperwork. Questions focus mainly on the potential traffic on Chulio and environmental protections in a community where many depend on their wells for water.

While Chulio will be upgraded sometime in the future through a SPLOST earmark, planning staff noted that it can’t answer many questions without knowing what’s planned for the site. The recommendation from that department is denial without prejudice, which would allow the applicant to resubmit as soon as more information about the use is available.

The other application that will end up at the county commission is a request for rezoning to Agricultural Residential from Suburban Residential for two parcels, at 4446 and 4464 Adairsville Road. The owners want to build a barn on the undeveloped parcel next to their home.

Staff is recommending approval.