SHARON SPEEDWAY Officials to decide on zone change

The racetrack was around before zoning.
HARTFORD -- The township zoning commission will decide later this month whether to approve a zone change that would allow more events at Sharon Speedway.
About 100 township residents attended a public hearing on the zone change proposal Monday. Many complained about the noise and inconvenience of having the dirt racetrack in their neighborhood, officials said.
The racetrack is in an area of the township that was declared residential when zoning was introduced to the township decades ago, said township attorney Mark Finamore.
Because the racetrack pre-dates zoning, owners over the years have been permitted to continue racing, Finamore said.
The zone change to commercial use proposed by current ownership would expand possible uses of the property, to allow other types of events to be held and other businesses to be opened.
If it changed
For example, if zoning were changed, the racetrack could host a volunteer fire department circus, swap meets or the Hartford Apple Festival, said Trustee Rebecca Whitman. Neither event could be held at the track now.
The zone change could also permit a retail store, restaurant or auto body shop to be opened on the property, Finamore said.
Some residents are concerned that, should the zone change be approved, the racetrack could hold disruptive concerts, Whitman said.
The zoning commission will reconvene 8 p.m. Sept. 27.
The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to township trustees, who could reverse the recommendation with a unanimous vote, Finamore said.