Hoping to take some of the guesswork out of an issue they'll consider next month, Lancaster County leaders have asked for testing to understand the noise impact of a drag strip and its effect on residents.
JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:00 pm
Lancaster County leaders have asked for noise tests from the location of a proposed drag strip to understand the impact on nearby residents.
The County Board of Commissioners on Thursday asked health department officials to conduct tests to predict just how much noise they could expect if they approved plans for a drag strip in the northern part of the county.
Motor sports entrepreneur Greg Sanford wants to build a quarter-mile drag strip east of U.S. 77 between Branched Oak and Davey roads. The board is expected to take up his request in a public hearing July 31.
But before the board can get to Sanford’s project, it first must consider an amendment to the county’s zoning code, which doesn’t address motor sports. An amendment would lay the foundation for regulations governing any separately approved motor sports facility.
The board’s request for testing followed a sound presentation from acoustics expert Dominique Chéenne.
The board wants the test results by July 17, the day commissioners are due to consider the zoning amendment.
Meeting that deadline is possible, but contingent on cooperation from Sanford, who would need to allow testers and their equipment on his property, said Scott Holmes, who heads the Environmental Health Division of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
The department would simulate the sound of a drag race on his property and measure the effect at nearby residences.
Holmes and other health officials have handled sound matters in helping county officials put together the amendment.
While board Chairman Bob Workman initially suggested the date and time of the test be publicized, Holmes requested that it not be in order to simulate normal conditions.
Residents in the immediate area should be notified, though asked to remain in their homes during the testing, commissioners suggested.
The closest property to Sanford’s proposed start line is 1,400 feet, Holmes said. The next closest are two properties about 2,700 feet and 3,100 feet from the proposed finish line.
Noise testing is a key part of the health department recommendations on the zoning amendment, which Holmes presented to the board Thursday. Among their recommendations:
* Establish the baseline noise levels at the nearest residential property.
* Set a limit by increasing the measured baseline noise level by 10 decibels during the day, which is defined as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Set the nighttime limit, effective from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., as 6 decibels over the measured baseline noise level.
* Set a limit of noise levels no greater than 81 decibels.
* Create provisions for variances for special events.
Commissioner Larry Hudkins cautioned his colleagues they need to be cognizant of the limitations’ effect on the overall community and ensure they don’t end up with unintended consequences.
Agricultural equipment as well can be noisy, said Hudkins, a farmer who said he has one tractor that runs about 85 decibels.
“We want to be careful where we’re going here,” he said.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.