THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9502020424
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Chesapeake and Suffolk residents opposed to an auto-racing track here tried unsuccessfully Wednesday night to persuade the City Council to reconsider its approval of the project.
Mayor S. Chris Jones said ample notice was given to the public months before the council approved the track Jan. 4. In considering the track and an adjacent 684-acre industrial park, he said, the city had been more than open, going so far as to send two letters about the project to Chesapeake's city manager.
``I just don't want anyone to think that this was fast-tracked or that people didn't have ample notice,'' Jones said.
Suffolk and Chesapeake residents who live near the track site have rallied together to oppose the project, saying it will generate noise, traffic and pollution that will forever change their neighborhoods. About 170 people, including state Del. Lionell Spruill, attended Wednesday's night's council session.
With the City Council holding firm to its decision, track opponents are now talking of filing suit against the city.
``We might not settle it here,'' said Paul C. Gillis, one of the people who spoke in opposition to the track. ``We may have to settle it across the hall - in the courtroom.'' by CNB