Another type of ‘illegal’ overlooked
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C,P. Brothers III
Published: July 9, 2008
Year after year, several evenings a week from March to October, Prince William County refuses to enforce its own laws. The public nuisance known as the Old Dominion Speedway and dragstrip violates
Prince William County Code section 14-4. Google it.
Anyone who lives within a mile or so of the this earsore knows about this.
Anyone trying to sell a house in these tough times can’t show it up to four afternoons a week because of this. Take a look at the county decals on the vehicles attending events at ODS and you will find
many, if not a majority, come here from outside of our county; some come from out of state. This does not benefit our local community.
Calls to the police usually fall on deaf ears. Nothing happens. It appears that the county attorney’s office refuses to prosecute noise complaints concerning ODS. Imagine this in a county where the
mantra “what part of illegal do you not understand?” defines us nationwide. I bet we’d get a better response if the drivers were alleged to be illegal aliens!
C.P. BROTHERS III
Manassas
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( ZIGGY ) on July 10, 2008 at 9:33 am
I would be curious as to how long C.P. Brothers III has lived there. Did they move there before the track was there? If so - I can understand their complaint. If not - boo-hoo. You bought a house knowing a track was there. And if you didn’t - you’re stupid. Part of buying a home is doing your homework.
ODS supports local commerce, charities, employs people, provides good wholesome family entertainment.
Unfortunately, it is being sold to developers to build more homes (probably for people who will work outside of Prince William Co.), create more traffic, signals, accidents, and crime.
Sorry - but you’ve shown how selfish you are. I’m glad I can look at the greater good of the community. Go find something else to complain about.
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Posted by ( Tom Farley ) on July 10, 2008 at 8:50 am
The allegation that ODS is illegal is erronious. According to the track’s website, the land was purchased in 1952 with a racetrack on it, and then it was improved by the Gore family. I believe Prince William County’s first zoning laws were created in 1957 0r 1958. The racing activities existed prior to zoning laws, and the noise levels were compliant when the track was created. Therefore, the use of the land, and the racetrack itself are legal non-conforming uses. Furthermore, non-conforming rights adhere to the land and transfer to each new owner. Any action to take away those non-conforming rights based on new residential development would be unconstitutional, which is another word for illegal. If Someone can buy a house next to a racetrack that has existed for more than forty years at the time of purchase, and attempt to close the track because it may impede the resale of their home, that person, and the government that acts on their behalf has too much power. For more information on Non-conforming uses, see PWC Code 32-601.
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Posted by ( T Dawg ) on July 10, 2008 at 7:59 am
ODS hasn’t ever been camoflaged to the best of my knowledge. Its been sitting right there in the open as people moved into and out of houses nearby.
There is nothing new to this noise complaint. Back in the 60s when the cars ran without mufflers, the track opted to have mufflers installed on the stock cars and a curfew put on racing.
The reason ‘noise’ complaints fall on deaf ears at the police department is because the track is not exceeding noise limitation. There are no laws being broken, so the track is NOT illegal.
The part of ‘illegal’ I do understand is that you have to violate laws to be illegal and you are not ‘legal’ as long as you continue to violate those laws.
One thing I do miss about ODS is Mother Gore’s super-fantastic chili dogs ... they were the best!!!
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Posted by ( mrbill ) on July 10, 2008 at 7:11 am
ods is an historic site
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Posted by ( RonCharest ) on July 10, 2008 at 6:34 am
Quick! Someone tell Greg Letiecq so he can post about this on his most excellent website, raise the awareness of Cory Stewart and the BOCS, and get this problem solved!
Oh, wait. As Mr. Brothers notes, those people drag racing aren’t brown-skinned “illegal aliens.“ “Illegal is Illegal” doesn’t apply here.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on July 10, 2008 at 5:18 am
What I don’t understand is how the Speedway was allowed to build in the middle of all those homes. You would think the homeowners associations would have protested while the track was under construction. Oh .. wait. The track was built in the 1950’s and the homes built in the 80’s, 90’s and after 2000. What idiot purchases a home next to a commercial operation then wonders where the noise comes from? Next time, avoid the speedway and purchase next to Dulles Airport - where you can expect peace and quiet.
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Posted by ( mrbill ) on July 10, 2008 at 4:26 am
shut up
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