Tuesday, August 27, 2024–9:45 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Floyd County Commission has initially rejected a request to rezone a property on which the Rome Speedway is located.
The applicant wanted to rezone nearly 124 acres (about 59 ha) on Chulio Road and Highway 411 from suburban residential and multi-family housing to heavy industrial in order to sell the property for industrial use.
Rome-Floyd County Planning Director Brice Wood told commissioners that planning staff had some concerns about the application.
“Heavy industry tends to produce less desirable things and the infrastructure isn’t there to support that,” he said. “Most importantly, without sewerage, you’re more likely to have things like scrap yards, landfills, storage units and solar farms. We’re concerned that without the necessary infrastructure to attract a great employer, that’s exactly what happens. Ultimately, we felt it was premature. As I said, it’s a speculative request. There’s no one looking to develop the property.”
Some residents opposed the rezoning because of concerns about traffic, property values and impacts on agriculture.
Attorney Bryceson Mercer, on behalf of the applicants, attempted to allay some of these concerns by proposing conditions that would prevent most of the most intensive uses permitted in industrial zones.
“Like quarries, gravel pits, junkyards, things that would normally be pretty unsightly,” he said. “We agree that all of our lighting is downward. The side and rear clearances, even if the regulations changed, would be 200 feet if they were adjacent to agricultural areas or residential areas. We are aware that Chulio has a 37,000 pound weight limit, so we are proposing to allow all heavy trucks, that is Class 8 trucks that weigh 33,000 pounds or more, access from Highway 411.”
Missy Kendrick, president and CEO of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, spoke in favor of the request, citing the need for more land that could be marketed to potential industrial companies.
The Commission voted for a rejection without prejudice, meaning that the applicant can reapply without having to wait a whole year.
