NK supervisors approve CUP with time change for C. Downs

With a time adjustment being the only holdup for a conditional use permit, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors approved Colonial Downs’ request to hold an August 23 motorcycle race at its Jan. 13 board meeting.

After receiving a presentation from Colonial Downs’ president Ian Stewart about last year’s success of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) race at the track, newly elected chairman and District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn opened a public hearing. Only Kate West spoke during the allotted period, but her words reflected what many neighborhoods adjacent to the racetrack were worried about with the new proposal.

“I think most of us are in favor of having the motorcycle race,” said West. “I think having it end at 8 p.m. is the problem.”

Last year’s event began at 10 a.m., with motorcycles practicing on the track. All races were concluded by 4 p.m.

“I heard a lot of noise from people leaving, particularly Harley motorcycles, than I did during the races,” continued West. “I am hoping I can have some time for myself after the races conclude.”

Stewart acknowledged West’s comments, but told supervisors implementing a new time can bring more spectators and more profit.

“With all due respect to Mrs. West, I think if we ended it any earlier, it could ruin the potential for attendees,” Stewart said. “The issue of noise has been settled. It is less loud inside the house than what was heard at the track during the races.”

District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers, whose constituents include residents living in the area of Colonial Downs, commented about Stewart’s proposed hours of operation for the race.

“I have had several calls from my constituents and they are not opposed to the race,” said the supervisor. “But they are not a fan of the 4 p.m. start.

“For a baby, 8 p.m. is bedtime, not daytime,” Stiers continued. “I feel like we have to compromise.”

“Our fireworks on July 4 are louder and brighter, and we don’t begin that until 9:45 p.m,” rebutted Stewart. “The issue of noise was never brought up on that day.”

District 5 representative Ray Davis advised Stewart of actions that he, along with supervisors, covered over last year’s debate about the races.

“A lot of people went out on a limb for you last year,” said Davis. “Couldn’t we have a compromise?”

The proposed compromise from Davis, as well as Evelyn, was for the event to be pushed up an hour and conclude at 7 p.m.

“I can live with an hour,” concluded Stewart. “I think you all will see that a later start means more revenue though.”

Stiers, however, wanted the event to end at 6 p.m.

“I don’t see how a couple of hours could hurt,” commented Stiers. “You have people from the northeast traveling down here for the race and I don’t see how ending it a couple hours early would affect them.”

After an initial motion from District 3 supervisor James Burrell to leave the event as proposed was voted down four votes to one, supervisors passed the conditional use permit 4-1 with the condition the event to end at 7 p.m. Stiers cast the lone dissenting vote.