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City Planning Commission to hear zoning request for Atlanta Motorsports Park.

By A.J. PUCKETT

The City of Dawsonville Planning Commission will be holding a public meeting starting at 7:00 pm on Monday, December 15, 2008 in the G.L. "Pete" Gilleland Council Chambers at City Hall to hear the zoning request for the proposed Atlanta Motorsports Park.

Jeremy Porter has requested a Zoning Map Amendment for 152 acres off Duck Thurmond Road. The land is currently zoned R1 and Porter has requested a rezoning of CIP (Restricted Industrial District) for proposed country club motorsports complex. The complex that would be known as the Atlanta Motorsports Park would be a place for its members to drive their motorcycles, go-karts, and high performance automobiles on racetracks that they are designed for. The site plan would feature the possibility of another 300 acres of expansion. It will also offer 10,000 square foot clubhouse with private lockers and shower facilities, a member's only lounge and a patio that overlooks the road course. There will be a pool, hiking trails and tennis courts.

The park's creators have spoken with some members of the community about their concerns and it is expected that some of these people will show up to speak at the meeting.

"We've been in contact with a couple of local groups and we want to make sure that we are communicating with the local community," said the founder of the park, Jeremy Porter. "We want to be good stewards to the citizens of Dawson County and not be a problem for the people around us."

Last month the group behind AMP held an open house at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and took prospective members out to the site for tours. "There will be no spectator events, so the park will not create traffic or crowding issues for Dawsonville," said Porter at the open house. "The Club will also voluntarily adhere to noise limits, out of respect for neighbors."

Executive Director of the Development Authority of Dawson County Charlie Auvermann, believes that the development of the park would have a very positive impact on the economy of the county.

“The initial project itself would bring in about $4 Million tax boost to the county in the next eight to 10 years," said Auvermann. It will also provide 25 new jobs for the country club alone and more when the phase two is started and the shops, restaurants and lodging facilities are completed.

The Dawsonville Planning Commission will make their recommendations to the Mayor and City Council in January. The Mayor and City Council will meet to make the final decision January 5.

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