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The Community and WIW Board voted unanimously, and this letter has been sent to CM Terry Vo. More to follow.

CM Vo: Terry, thank you for staying connected and obtaining an abundance of facts and details on the “Benton House”. The information obtained has been open and transparent for the WIW Community to properly assess this proposal. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that, in light of the neighborhood meeting on September 10 and the many emails that we have received, the board of the Woodland-in-Waverly Historic Neighborhood Association has voted unanimously to oppose the developers’ proposal to rezone the property at 746 Benton Ave. for commercial use as a private club.

Using SP zoning to insert a commercial business into a residential neighborhood is a controversial practice that should only be done if the proposal has neighborhood support. During the last two months, the WIW board has focused on gathering and distributing information from the developers about “the Benton House.” And thanks to all this hard work, we now know what our WIW neighbors think. As you heard at last week’s meeting on Sept. 10th and in all the emails you have received, nearly all the residents who have spoken out strongly oppose this project. As we serve our WIW Community and their views are clearly noted, the board opposes the rezoning and will work to defeat it should this issue come before the Planning Commission and the Council.

We understand you have been gathering information and have not yet announced your position on this issue; but the neighborhood remains gravely concerned and are in turmoil. Your help is welcome in putting this matter to rest. The community shared last week, the residents have learned enough and after multiple meetings and email correspondence, they feel further discussions will not make any difference. Although two of the developers are our neighbors and friends and have made sincere promises about how they would operate the proposed club, “the Benton House” it is not conducive to the community, regardless of who owns the property. Again, the WIW neighbors have made very clear to us and to you, a private club with 250 members that offers overnight accommodations, a bar, meal service, meeting rooms and a swimming pool for the use of members and guests has no place in our historic, residential neighborhood.

You have served on the board and as president of the Chestnut Hill Neighborhood Association, and you took pride in your promise during your campaign that you would stand up for neighborhoods. So you understand. We are grateful for this and ask in that spirit for your assurance to not sponsor the “Benton House”. To serve our WIW Community and not sponsor legislation to rezone this residential property for commercial use as a private club that goes against the wishes of the people who live in the neighborhood and the unanimous vote of the neighborhood association board.

Thank-you for working to serve your constituents – our WIW Community.

THANK YOU!

FROM YOUR WOODLAND-IN-WAVERLY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD

Thank you for your continued support!

REVISED RACETRACK PROPOSAL –

WHAT IS THE REAL IMPACT? 

 

 

 

Fair Grounds Racetrack Proposal.  Thank you to everyone in WiW and the surrounding communities who shared your concerns/questions.  Here is the summary for consideration.  Everyone is welcome to voice their personal support and/or concerns with the local Fairgrounds Commission.

 

1. What other NASCAR races are located within an historical residential neighborhood – or any residential neighborhood?
2. From #1 – If not, why?
3. What outreach has taken place to connect with the EPA and OSHA for toxic and noise pollution (Noise Pollution Act of 1972) that plague NASCAR racing?

A single typical NASCAR race weekend, with cars at high speeds for 500 miles (804 kilometers) — plus practice laps — at 5 mpg of gas:  Approximately 6,000 gallons (22,712 liters) of fuel [source: Finney]. Each gallon burned emits about 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of carbon dioxide, or about 120,000 pounds (54,431 kilograms) of CO₂ for a race weekend [source: FuelEconomy]. Multiply that by number of races per year, and NASCAR’s annual carbon footprint is in 4 million pounds (1.8 million kilograms).

3. Noise Pollution Study from Texas Firm at Metro meeting – provided statistical data to revise the existing racetrack from stockcar to NASCAR and other racing with higher pollution and noise concerns:

• Who chose this organization to complete the study and why?
• Why is only a single NASCAR car considered for 90 dB results?
• Information that could not be found:  The collective measure of all cars running simultaneously together on the track.  Example:  Bristol NASCAR racing is closer to 140dB. 
• What will happen if this study proves invalid later? What is the recourse? 

Facts found: OSHA:  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has done studies on NASCAR racing sound levels and found up to 150 dB levels.  This is permanent hearing loss levels in less than a minute in the car, two minutes in the pits and field and 7 to ten minutes in the stand and the measure does not address how far this noise travels.  Children do not have fully developed ears and immediate hearing loss resulting from loud noise is even higher depending on the age group.  Especially those under 8 years of age. 

While primary responsibility for control of noise rests with State and local governments, Federal action is essential to deal with major noise sources in commerce, control of which require national uniformity of treatment. EPA is directed by Congress to coordinate the programs of all Federal agencies relating to noise research and noise control.  This racetrack project falls under this directive.

4. Is there a clear understanding on dB level measurements and exponential increase?

60dB to 70 dB is an increase of 100 times more, not ten.  An increase from 60dB to 90 dB is an increase of 1000.  And it not loudness but the power of sound waves.

5. What studies have been done for the impact on residential homes? Especially for those in section 8 housing and long-standing residents in historical districts on property value? 

The key factors:  Noise, toxic waste, trash, parking, traffic and the inability to work from home and/or get to and from a residential home and preservation of historic and Section 8 housing rights.

6.  What percentage of children and animals live around or within radius of the extended sound from the racetrack?  
7. Wall barriers – are these under consideration? If so, what will happen if they are installed prove ineffective like those already in place around the country and here in Nashville?

I-440 walls designed to reduce interstate noise pollution carry the sound further out in the community at large.  Sound travels over the wall (there are no natural barriers at the height above the wall to stop the sound from carrying further out so the sound continues until it finally dissipates).  Engineers and acousticians know of the marginal usefulness.  Robert Bernhard, vice president for research at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on noise control stated issues especially where the federal government pays for noise walls — and only noise walls — as part of highway expansion projects.  As such, Bernhard stated there is little incentive for researchers to keep testing and perfecting the alternatives.

8. Parking and Traffic: Will the same issues prevail at the Fair Grounds that occurred this past Father’s Day in Wilson County? 

NASCAR had their first delay in the history of racing in Wilson County this past June on Father’s Day due to traffic jams that prevented attendees from access to the racetrack.  Reviews stated:  Inability to get to the tracks, poor parking, lack of water or access to drinks on extremely hot day.  Many asked where the planning leadership was that proved a big disappointment to many.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g55153-d1929909-Reviews-Nashville_Superspeedway-Lebanon_Tennessee.html

Similar circumstances prevail with the revised Flea market parking structure. There is only one way into this section of the Fair Grounds.  It can take 45 minutes to get from Wedgewood and I-65 to the Flea Market.  Traffic cannot flow freely and is restricted to one small section that leaves cars backed up beyond I-65.  

9. How will traffic commence through residential communities from Wedgewood, Craighead and surrounding streets and where will all the tailgating occur?
10. What parking plans are in place for cars, large Trucks, SUV’s and RV’s?
11. Racetrack schedule: 10 NASCAR races per year.  What is the real number of races per month?  How many practice schedules, regular races and alternate racing, other than NASCAR per month? 
12. Soccer Stadium construction meetings have shared street traffic flow and parking were underestimated and corrections remain pending. Will the consideration of the racetrack only compound these concerns? 
13. What other cities have been contacted ideas on alternate means of revenue for the present racetrack that do not take away from native community/city residence? 
14. Are there any concerns with future potential lawsuits based on some of the above?
15. What other options are there?  Such as the use of Wilson County with an existing track that appears to properly address many of the questions noted here.

The historical, section 8 and newly constructed homes represent the historical footprint that comprises our city today and welcome the support through our leaders to protect and preserve our communities, our families and our future  in the midst of the current city growth.  When the Fairgrounds racetrack was first constructed, one did not foresee where racing would be today.  Racing is an adrenaline rush and exciting and we readily agree racing should be a part of TN history with proper planning. 

 

 

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HISTORIC ZONING COMMISSION MEETING: 

3rd Wednesday of Each Month

 

The Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission meets at 2:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Sonny West Conference Center in the Howard Office Building of the Fulton Campus.

 

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HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING: 

3rd Monday of Each Month

The Metropolitan Historical Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at 12:00 p.m.

When the third Monday falls on a holiday, the Commission meets the following Monday.