By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@gaflnews.com



VIENNA —In spite of protests from citizens who live in various parts of the county, Dooly County Commissioners granted a rezoning request at their meeting Thursday that opens the way for construction of a drag strip north of Unadilla.

Michael Reece of Perry who owns the county property had asked for a zoning change for the property which is located on Hwy. 41 near the Houston County line.

He wants the property rezoned from Agriculture to Commercial. Reece says that about 90 acres of his property is already zoned commercial, but he needs the remainder of the property zoned that way as well.

In order to begin construction of the drag strip Reece must obtain not only the zoning change, but a conditional use permit from the Dooly County Planning Commission.

At a recent public hearing, the Planning Commission denied Reece’ s request for conditional use of the property.

He said he will be filing a written appeal of that decision with the county Commission.

During Thursday’s hearing before the Commissioners, Nelson Dupree spoke on behalf of some of the citizens.

“Some of the residents in that area have been there for over 25 years ,” said Durpree. “They moved there because they wanted peace and quiet. They do not want the noise that this drag strip will bring to the community.”

Dupree went also mentioned the noise a lack of mufflers will produce.

Reece’s argument was that the noise from a drag strip is not the same as a regular race track.

“Cars are only on the track for 8 to 10 seconds and then the noise stops,” he said. “Most of the noise is going to travel out to the interstate.”

Reece even offered to plant Leland Cypress trees four deep to help block noise. He agreed that he would not plan races when activities are taking place at the churches in the area.

Reece informed the Commissioners and citizens that the drag strip would bring in the revenue not only to the city of Unadilla but to all of Dooly County.

The businessman would be required to have EMS personnel at each race and would be paying those workers for their services.

He also mentioned the number of people that pass by Unadilla on the interstate. The drag strip would give them a reason to come to Unadilla and to shop the stores in nearby Vienna, he said.

“I have a petition with signatures from residents of Unadilla and Vienna. I have over 40 signatures from various businesses in the area that would like to see an increase in tourism,” said Reece.

A few other citizens protested saying that they did not want the strip in their “back yard.” One woman claimed that the drag strip would bring nothing but “riff raff” into the community.

Other concerns were potential traffic issues and drinking. Dupree mentioned the potential for drinking and driving accidents and all the people that will be hurt.

There were several citizens who spoke in favor of the drag strip saying that it would be good for the economy both in Unadilla and Dooly County. One citizen, Sylvester Granville said, “times are changing and people need to move into a new era.”

Now that the rezoning request has been granted, Reece will have to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision not to grant the conditional use.

If that Commission’s decision is overturned, then he will be clear to go ahead with his plans for the drag strip. Reece said he will be conducting tests with the noise level between now and time for the appeal.

Also during Thursday’s commission meeting, Jarrod McCarty made a request on behalf of the City of Cordele. Cordele is asking Dooly County to be a co-applicant for a OneGeorgia grant that will allow the City of Cordele to widen a portion of road in a growing area of town, known as Perimeter Park to accommodate new businesses that have agreed to locate there.

This request will not cost Dooly County anything, but the county’s participation will make the grant request stronger when reviewed.

In other business:

• Dirt road scoring forms were discussed.

• The City of Unadilla Christmas Parade was announced for Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.

• Commissioners were reminded that the county office will be closed on Nov. 27 and 28 in observance of Thanksgiving.

The next meeting of the Dooly County Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Dooly County Economic Development Training Center.