Westmoreland supervisors approve special-event permit for drag strip with strict safety, staffing and reimbursement conditions

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Wednesday to grant a special‑event permit that will allow major events — including a contested burnout/drift pit — at a longstanding drag strip on Longfield Road, provided the owner meets a list of safety, staffing and operational conditions.

The vote followed nearly two hours of public comment in which neighbors complained of late‑night noise, unsanctioned paving and camping, and supporters said the track brings revenue and provides a legal place for local drivers. Supervisor McCormick moved to approve the permit with conditions; the motion passed with Supervisors Trivet, Ingram, McCormick and the chair voting aye and Supervisor Henson voting nay.

Why it matters: The board balanced public‑safety and nuisance concerns raised by residents against economic and recreational arguments from racing supporters. The permit carries several enforceable conditions intended to limit risk to attendees and neighboring property, and it specifies that the drift/burnout pit may not operate until additional fencing and inspections are completed.

Public comment and community concerns Residents and property owners along Longfield Road told the board they had experienced recurring late‑night racing, loud music, camping and trash spilling onto nearby fields. Robert Vaughn, who identified himself as a nearby property owner and an attorney, said noise and unsanctioned site work had occurred “many times in the morning” and that a drift/drift pit had been built without permits. “They've ignored the county rules and regulations,” Vaughn said.

Other nearby residents urged conditions rather than a shutdown. Carrie Geddesen, who gave an address on Longfield Road, said residents do not want the track removed but object to special events that continue past midnight and to the drift pit and late‑night music.

Supporters of the track said it provides regional draw and a supervised place for enthusiasts. Victor, the event coordinator for the special events, said the events attract out‑of‑area visitors and argued that the track keeps people off the street; he told the board a family of a man killed at an unsanctioned parking‑lot meet urged officials to allow supervised events, saying, “if we were allowed to operate without interference from the county, John may still be here.” Several speakers, including Larry Butler and longtime attendees, described volunteering, fundraising and vendor activity tied to track events.

Board discussion and motions Supervisor Henson moved to deny the special exception, saying safety and county costs made denial appropriate; that motion failed for lack of a second. Supervisor McCormick then moved to approve the special‑event permit with the conditions discussed during the meeting; a second was made and the board voted to approve the motion 4–1.

Key conditions attached to the approval (as read into the record) include: - Drift/burnout pit: a minimum concrete pad (described as 20x20), surrounded by concrete Jersey barriers at least 42 inches high except for a single entrance/exit no wider than 12 feet; an 8‑foot chain‑link fence at least 12 feet away from the concrete barriers; no sitting, standing or climbing on the fence; fence must be closed at the entrance prior to burnouts; only one car/driver in the pit at a time; DOT‑approved helmets and seat belts required; no burnouts/drifting when surfaces are wet; no intoxicated drivers in the pit. (source: Supervisor McCormick’s motion) - Medical staffing: at least one contracted state‑certified EMS unit per 2,500 people; the owner must provide EMS contractor names in advance; note on the record that Colonial Beach Rescue Squad is no longer in operation. (source: motion and applicant comments) - Security and operations: a licensed security contractor with a minimum of one security guard per 250 people; owner must post rules at entrances, burnout areas, restrooms and concessions; no firearms or illicit drugs on property; no alcohol in pit areas; well‑lit entrances/exits; trash removed within 24 hours. (source: motion) - Traffic, entrances and VDOT: separate engineered entrance/exit to VDOT standards for emergency access at a location within roughly 100 feet of the timing tower (subject to VDOT guidance); owner must design and construct that access by a date set by the board/VDOT or per a schedule to be coordinated with county staff. (source: motion) - Reimbursements and reporting: owner must provide event ticket numbers to the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office at least five business days before an event and reimburse the county for all overtime and other expenses incurred by sheriff and EMS related to the event. (source: motion) - Camping and land use: no camping unless the Board of Supervisors authorizes a zoning change; all required land‑use documents must be submitted prior to authorization; county land‑use inspectors must be authorized to inspect events at any time. (source: motion and planning commission materials) - Time limits and noise: no music or racing past 10 p.m.; lights off by 11 p.m.; event hours to follow county start‑time rules; violations to be reported to the county administrator. (source: motion)

The board also required that many of the planning commission recommendations and the stipulations Supervisor McCormick read into the record be incorporated into the permit. Supervisors directed staff to circulate a single document of the final conditions to the applicant, county administrator, the sheriff and EMS.

Enforcement, timing and next steps The motion as approved included a condition that the drift/burnout pit not operate until the additional fencing and other measures were installed and inspected by county staff. The owner told the board the site already had some barriers and contracted EMTs and said he had purchased additional jersey walls and could begin fence procurement and installation immediately; he asked the board to approve near‑term dates so the track could market upcoming events. Several supervisors said the fencing and a land‑use inspection must be completed before drift‑pit activities for larger events.

The board approved the special exception to allow the requested special events under these conditions; owners were directed to provide the county with a written plan and documentation of contractors and permits. The county will require follow‑up inspections and has reserved the right to require rezoning if events continue beyond the temporary special‑event schedule.

Votes at a glance - Motion to deny special exception: moved by Supervisor Henson; failed for lack of a second. - Motion to approve special exception with conditions: moved by Supervisor McCormick; seconded by another board member; roll call vote — Aye: Supervisors Trivet, Ingram, McCormick, and the chair; Nay: Supervisor Henson. Outcome: approved.

What the record does and does not show The board’s action authorizes special events under the detailed conditions read into the record; it does not rezone the property, and camping remains prohibited unless the board approves a rezoning. The county chair and staff instructed that a single, written set of conditions be circulated to the applicant, sheriff and EMS and that the land‑use inspectors verify compliance before specified activities (notably the drift/burnout pit) may occur.

For readers: the item grew out of repeated public complaints about late‑night noise, camping and unpermitted site work and of supporters’ arguments that supervised events provide economic benefit and safer alternatives to street racing. The board tied approval to firm, inspectable safety and staffing requirements and to reimbursement for county costs.