Published: November 21, 2008 07:49 am            

RACETRACK HEARING RESCHEDULED

A zoning board hearing on a proposed ATV racetrack in Suwannee County was postponed Thursday night because a board member was absent.

William and Enola Golightly are requesting a special exception to reopen the track, which was shut down in May when a circuit judge overturned the zoning board’s 2006 grant of a special exception. The county in that case had failed to give proper notice of the hearing to adjoining landowners.

Bailey Browning, attorney for the Suwannee County Zoning Board of Adjustment, said the absence of the board's chairman, Tommie Jefferson, left room for a tie vote, which would mean denial of the Golightlys' request.

"In the past it's been the legal opinion of the board and the board's legal advisor that in the event of a 2-2 tie, a 2-2 tie is considered the same as a rejection of the special exception," Browning said.

Browning said Jefferson had surgery and was unable to attend the meeting.

The Golightlys were given the opportunity to reschedule, and the hearing is now set for Dec. 18.

The proposed track and campground is located about 12 miles north of Live Oak in the Fort Union area.

        

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