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Okeechobee planning board denies private drift‑pad request over noise, compatibility concerns
Summary
The Okeechobee County Planning Board voted 4–1 to deny a special‑exception petition for a private membership drift pad on agricultural land, citing incompatibility with surrounding farms, potential noise impacts, and traffic safety despite the applicant’s safety and community‑benefit arguments.
The Okeechobee County Planning Board on Dec. 9 voted 4–1 to deny a special‑exception petition that would have allowed a private membership auto‑drift pad on a 20‑acre parcel on Northwest 160th Street.
Applicant Cindy Andrews told the board her plan called for a 150‑by‑150‑foot asphalt pad in the rear corner of a 20‑acre lot, limited to about six hours a week — Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — with staggered entry times, cement spectator barriers, on‑site medical and security personnel, and a proposed 10– to 12‑foot berm plus vegetative buffering. "This project is not a racetrack," Andrews said during her presentation. "It's a small scale controlled pad, approximately a 150 by a 150 feet, designed for low‑speed drifting practice and car control training."
Several nearby residents testified in opposition. Susanna Rooks, who said her property is 437 feet from the proposed pad, told the board she has personally heard the applicant's car revving and said the noise would disturb horses and livestock. "I stand in opposition to the special variance ... to allow an auto drifting track on AgZone land," Rooks said.
Other opponents raised concerns about concentrated engine noise at high RPMs, fumes from tire smoke, potential decreases in property values, and traffic safety at the nearby intersection of NW 160th Street and U.S. 441. Hanson Inai, who identified himself as owner of Moroccan Twins Farm LLC, cited state and county law, urging the board to deny the request to protect agricultural character.
Supporters said a permitted, supervised facility could reduce illegal street drifting and provide youth safety training. Beckett Wilson, a prospective user, said a local pad would let him "test that vehicle instead of going out into the public areas." The applicant also presented an online petition and a letter of support sent to staff.
Staff planner Bill Royce told the board the application had been considered previously by the Board of Adjustments and that after additional review staff concluded the use was not compatible with the immediate area and recommended denial. Members discussed both potential economic benefits and the negatives. One board member summarized the weighing of factors by saying, "If this is a baseball game, the negatives outweigh the positives."
After deliberation a board member moved to deny petition S20250834, with a rationale emphasizing incompatibility due to noise; the motion passed 4–1 by voice vote.
The board’s action at this meeting ends the planning‑board level special‑exception process for this application; any further appeal or reapplication path would follow county procedures.
