Opinion-Editorial: Guest View

Racetrack decision ‘logical’

Katherine Kirkman

On behalf of the residents of the Radium Springs Neighborhood Association, I would like to express our appreciation to the Dougherty County commissioners for their responsible action in efforts to find a resolution to the noise problem associated with the Albany Motor Speedway racetrack as a condition to approving the re-zoning request.

The commission’s action was a logical response to the report provided to them in 2000 by a qualified noise engineer that quantified the noise pollution from the racetrack. The report was contracted in response to repeated complaints by our neighborhood about the disruptive noise pollution from the racetrack.

The unbiased decibel data in this report documented noise levels that were incompatible with a residential area and corroborated the need for the county to mandate noise reduction associated with the track. This report offered some engineering solutions and racetrack operation requirements that could be employed that would permit residents to peacefully reside in our homes without the intolerable noise intrusion we experience every weekend.

These recommendations were not followed and the racetrack continued to operate outside of the conditions under which it was permitted. The action to require compliance by the racetrack as a condition of re-zoning and future operation is the logical outcome based on the consulting report provided to the county.

We strongly disagree with the editorial in The Albany Herald that suggests that the commission took a position that is counter to economic development. This contention completely disregards the homeowners’ concerns about the excessive and stressful noise associated with operation of the racetrack.

The position of the commission, that the Albany Motor Speedway must operate in a manner that is not a major intrusion to the community, should be strongly commended and defended. The commissioners clearly recognize that economic development must be complementary and compatible with the health and wellbeing of the surrounding community.

Katherine Kirkman is chair of the zoning committee of the Radium Springs Neighborhood Association.