After third extension, Lime Rock regulation nears finish line

LIME ROCK – The Planning and Zoning Commission continued its hearing last week on proposed changes to Lime Rock Park’s operating regulations, with commissioners suggesting a resolution could be close.

“I think with some clarity from our lawyer, this should be very easy to move along,” commissioner Allen Cockerline said, referring to P&Z’s attorney Charles Andres, who was unable to attend the June 15 meeting.

The proposed regulation change was first brought before P&Z in May after the state Superior Court in Torrington approved an amendment to a decades-old legal agreement governing the race track.

Largely placing further restrictions on the Park’s operations, the proposed zoning change aims to transfer the language of that agreement into the zoning code.

During three hearing sessions since May 18, commissioners focused largely on drifting – when vehicles intentionally lose traction on the rear tires while rounding a curve – due to its potential to cause tire smoke pollution. By the June 15 meeting, however, commissioners appeared largely satisfied by the track’s handling of the technique that involves limiting the hours of the practice.

Lime Rock President and CEO Dicky Riegel said the track has voluntarily followed the proposed regulations since 2022, even without any legal obligation, limiting drifting to two days per year, with a maximum of three 15-minute demonstrations on those days.

Cockerline said even so,“I just want to be sure we have safeguards in the future if it does become clearly a pollutant and nuisance.”

Land Use Director Abby Conroy noted that that may be difficult to achieve as it’s currently proposed given it is a regulation change and not a conditioned special permit. She and the Commission agreed that further consultation from Attorney Andres would be needed.After consultation withLime Rock, the hearing was extended again, set to reconvene on July 6 at 6:45 p.m.