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CBS News
5 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Tyler set to vote on airport hazard area zoning regulations
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– Tyler City council will call a vote to amend an ordinance, establishing a hazard area by the six runways at Tyler Pounds. Lufkin police investigate targeted shooting in residential area The Planning and Zoning Committee voted 6-1 Tuesday to recommend an addition of restricted areas around the airport. 'If you were to build something at a particular height that might obstruct an aircraft from safely approaching either one, any of those six runways, that is the issue that we're trying to avoid,' airport director, Stephen Thompson said. The predicted areas to be impacted the most are outlined in black, but the final decision will be made by the FAA. City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Board Meeting Business owners within the heavily restricted area are confused about what they can have on their property. 'My concern is what would we be the restrictions are from? Would we be able to have RV parking, RV storage in that zone that is already constructed? My RV storage is definitely in that zone?' one RV business owner said. Tyler High students honored for leadership, excellence in JROTC program One homeowner who lives in the restricted area questioned if there was a threat to their livelihood and the planning director said no. 'If this is expected to pass this does not require you to move or restructure your home,' Planning and Zoning Director, Kyle Kingma said. Thompson said this will set the standard when new development enters into that part of Tyler. 'This document basically just steers developers towards that and raises awareness and makes sure that people understand that development in the vicinity of an airport has that obligation to do an airspace study and the FAA provides the feedback. They'll determine what is and what is not a hazard,' Thompson said. If the ordinance were to pass, the FAA would restrict various building heights, frequencies, lighting concerns, and business that could attract birds to the area. The vote will be taken by city council, May 28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to |
