Wednesday, December 05, 2012 - Regular Planning ... - Polk County

While the proposal does not increase the number of permitted visitors to the site and therefore
maintains the overall infrastructure impacts of the site, the primary change in impact is related to the
increased proximity of the activity to existing residences. In the original conditional use application
review for the 82 acre site, the closest residence was almost two miles from the proposed activities.
For this expansion, the applicant proposes to bring the conditional use boundary within ½ mile of
residences along Bereah Road east of the site.
The primary increase in impacts is anticipated to come in the form of sound impacts. As a result,
staff attempted to evaluate the sound impacts of the site by monitoring ATVs and motorcycles riding
in the proposed expansion areas from several residences outside of the proposed conditional use
expansion boundary along Avon Park Cut Off Road and Bereah Road. These efforts demonstrated to
staff that riding right along the proposed eastern boundary line was often objectionable when
standing outside (the same noises were not noticeable when inside a residence). However, other areas
within this expansion area were barely audible above the existing noises of the area. Therefore, the
site visit indicated to staff that riding on most of the expansion area can be compatible with the
activities in the area, with the exception of the area closest to the Bereah Road residences. Therefore,
staff has conditioned the recommendation to remove a substantial portion of the site in the
southeastern corner to ensure that sound levels are minimized to these residents.
Development Review Committee
Findings of Fact
1. This application is for an 1,100 acre expansion to an approved 82 acre off-road vehicle park
consisting of racetracks, drag strips, and a campground, in order to allow vehicle oriented
recreation including motorcycle/ATV trail riding activities and foot-races.
2. The site is located within the Agricultural Residential Rural (A/RR) land use district within
the Rural Development Area. This area of the County consists of citrus groves, sod farms,
improved pasture, hay fields, and heavily wooded areas.
3. The site is comprised of upland and wetland soils, and contains wetland areas.
4. An 82 acre portion of this site was approved for ATV/motorcycle riding and camping in 2011
and is currently being used for ATV and motorcycle riding.
5. The site plan proposes hours of operation for proposed facility from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.
6. No additional structures are proposed.
Development Review Committee Recommendation: Based on information provided with the
proposed development application, the Development Review Committee finds that the proposed
request IS consistent with the surrounding land uses and general character of the area; and IS
consistent with the Polk County Land Development Code and the Polk County Comprehensive Plan.
Based upon the findings of fact, the information provided by the applicant, and a recent site visit; the
Development Review Committee recommends APPROVAL of CU 11-04M with conditions.
DRC Findings/Recommendation Page 2 of 12
Level 3/TDW 11/21/2012 2:06:53 PM CU 11-04M December 5, 2012