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CBS News
31-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Howard County Board of Appeals to decide fate of homemade go-kart racetrack Thursday
The fate of a homemade go-kart racetrack in Howard County is now in the hands of the Board of Appeals, which is set to make a final decision Thursday, July 31. Chris Siperko built the half-mile-long, 24-foot-wide track between December 2023 and January 2024 on his Highland property for his son, Achilles, who hopes to become a professional driver. Siperko said he consulted with a paving company and believed no permits were necessary for the project. But neighbors opposed the track, citing concerns about noise, environmental effects, safety, and property values. Following complaints, a county inspection determined the track violated zoning and subdivision codes. The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning denied Siperko's conditional use application, stating go-karting was not a permitted activity under the county code. That changed in June, when the Board of Appeals overruled the department's interpretation and decided the track qualified as an athletic field under county regulations. This decision allowed the permit application process to restart and led to a series of hearings stretching for hours over multiple sessions. During a July 10 hearing, nearly a dozen neighbors testified against the track, many citing noise as the primary issue. "I went to an indoor go-kart track to see what a go-kart sounded like," said neighbor Michael Mulcare. "Even at fairly low speeds, 35 miles an hour... they have a distinct whine. They also have screeching tires." Kelly Rudden, who works remotely, said the sound from the track disrupted her workday. "That's not my responsibility, but I will say that you guys didn't even use your own track for your testing, so how would we?" she said during the hearing. Sang Oh, Siperko's attorney, brought in two experts to testify that the proposed racetrack meets county code requirements. G. Macy Nelson, the attorney representing Siperko's neighbors, focused his case on environmental impacts and the potential for encroachment on neighboring properties. Both attorneys had until 4:30 p.m. on July 24 to submit written summaries of their cases. The Board of Appeals will reconvene at 9 a.m. on Thursday to issue its final ruling.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Howard County man defends his go-kart track in latest hearing as neighbors continue fight
A Howard County man who built a go-kart track for his son on his property defended his case on Thursday, while residents continue to push back. During the nearly seven-hour-long Howard County Board of Appeals hearing, Chris Siperko argued for his conditional use application for the track. Earlier this month, the board gave him the green light to keep the track on his property. Siperko started construction on the race track in December 2023 and finished the work by January 2024. The go-kart track is about a half-mile long and approximately 24 feet wide. Ever since then, his neighbors have wanted him to get rid of the track. Experts testify on Siperko's behalf Sang Oh, Siperko's attorney, called up two experts -- Robert Vogel, a civil engineer, and Jeffrey Straw, a vibration and acoustic consultant based out of Florida. In both of their testimonies, Vogel and Straw explained why Siperko's application should be approved -- with Oh going over the standards under Howard County code. Vogel testified that what's proposed in the application won't have much adverse effects, like odors or add intensity like traffic. Straw, meanwhile, testified that the noise from the race track will likely be able to meet the 65 or lower decibel threshold required. Neighbors continue fight against the race track During Siperko's cross-examination, his neighbors' lawyer, G. Macy Nelson, honed in on the environmental impact, noting part of the existing track is on wetlands. He also noted the potential encroachment on neighboring properties in what's proposed in the application. Vogel and Oh acknowledged Nelson's criticisms, also saying they will be able to adjust down the line. Vogel said he's been consulting with the Maryland Department of the Environment. "In no event will we go bigger or radically different than what was approved. The approval of a plan that varies in some way from what is approved by the board is what's known as a minor modification," Oh said. Nelson called up two neighbors to testify against the application. Both complained about hearing loud noises from the track, as well as echoing environmental concerns. "I believe the quality of life for us and other neighbors will be diminished by the continued use of a race track," Joe Quill said. More witnesses will be called at the next hearing scheduled for July 10 at 6:30 p.m. The board is expected to make a decision then.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Howard County go-kart race track wins first appeal, neighbors vow to keep fighting it
A Howard County resident cleared a big hurdle to keep the go-kart race track he built on his property despite complaints from neighbors. The Board of Appeals unanimously agreed Chris Siperko's race track falls under their jurisdiction on Thursday, after a hearing that lasted more than five hours. This opens the door for Siperko to again try for a conditional use permit for the race track. Meanwhile, neighbors who have been against the race track from the start vow they'll keep fighting it. Defining an athletic field When Siperko first built the race track at his Highland home, all he thought of was his son, Achilles. "My son wants to be a professional driver, so there was nowhere local to practice," Siperko said. When he started construction for it in December 2023, Siperko thought he had done his due diligence -- not finding anything online to suggest he couldn't build the race track on his property. Siperko also consulted with a paving company. "They said if it does not touch your driveway and go to the road, it's your own property. You don't need [a permit]," Siperko said. He's now been fighting to keep it ever since. The battle to stop the go-kart track It didn't take long for his neighbors to start complaining about the go-kart track. The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning also cited Siperko. DPZ also dismissed his conditional use application for it, citing that go-karting isn't a permitted activity under the county code. Under county code for outdoor athletic facilities, it notes conditional use permits may be granted in residential zones for athletic fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, disc golf courses, ropes courses, and archery ranges. But in front of the four-member Board of Appeals on Thursday, Siperko's lawyer, Sang Oh, argued the race track is qualified to be an athletic field under county code -- even if it's not specifically listed. G. Macy Nelson, the lawyer for Siperko's neighbors, said the Board of Appeals needs to refer only to the code's wording. "Go-kart race track is not on that list, that was [DPZ's] rationale," Nelson said. However, in the end, the Board of Appeals sided with Siperko. Several board members also said DPZ didn't give enough information as to why Siperko couldn't have the race track. Nelson said he and his clients are ready to keep fighting this. The next hearing for this case is set for June 26.
