Board hears months-long special-event request for Colonial Beach drag strip; staff flags parking, EMS and safety issues

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors on April 15 heard public testimony and staff recommendations on a series of special-event requests for Custom Tees Motorsports Park, also known as the Colonial Beach Drag Strip, including burnout exhibitions, live entertainment dates and a monthly flea and farmers market.

County planning staffer Beth told the board the drag strip is a legal nonconforming use that dates to about 1963 and therefore may host historical racing activities, but several proposed activities—including live music, burnout exhibitions and a monthly farmers market—are not grandfathered and require special-event approval. "The primary reason that these events are here tonight is because of the burnout exhibition aspect of the events," Beth said.

The applicant, operator Laurie Thompson, said she wants to work with the county to keep the facility open and to provide community benefits, such as youth programs and vendor opportunities. Thompson said the track has made operational changes since past incidents and that she is willing to contract private ambulance and security services for events.

Staff and the planning commission recommended multiple conditions if the board approves the request, including: limiting paid attendance to 5,000 persons per date; restricting amplified sound and racing hours to noon–10 p.m.; requiring a minimum of 10 security and 10 safety personnel for racing events; providing a licensed, fully staffed ambulance on-site or contracting private ambulance services if county EMS is unable to provide coverage; directing exterior lighting onto the site and shielding it from adjacent properties; providing temporary directional signage; staging event staff at entrances and exits to facilitate traffic flow and ensuring the property and adjacent roads are cleared of litter and temporary signage after events.

Beth told the board the applicant submitted an updated parking and lighting plan, which estimates nearly 3,000 parking spaces, and that the county’s emergency services had said it could not commit a county ambulance for the proposed schedule; the applicant would therefore need to contract a third-party ambulance provider. The planning commission’s recommendation was split 2–2 when it considered the item, and staff forwarded the application to the board for its consideration.

Several supervisors and board members expressed concern about past safety incidents documented in social-media videos and in sheriff’s reports. Supervisor Trivette told the applicant the board expects strict safety measures, including fenced burnout pits, spectator distance and clear emergency egress. "All events must have at least one contract with a state-certified EMS," Trivette said as he outlined recommended safety protocols including barriers, chain-link fencing around pits, helmet and seat-belt requirements for drivers and restrictions on alcohol and illicit drugs in pit areas.

Neighbors and attendees raised mixed views during the public hearing. Some speakers praised the facility as a community resource and urged the county to work with the operator to keep events viable; others described past traffic and noise problems and urged stronger conditions or denial of particular elements, such as the burnout exhibitions.

At the time the record excerpt ends the board had not taken a final vote on the special-event requests; supervisors said they would continue deliberations after public comment and staff responses to outstanding issues including EMS arrangements, parking validation and enforceable safety measures.