Lime Rock Park seeks permit for non-racing events

SALISBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) held the first round of a public hearing on Lime Rock Park’s (LRP) application for a blanket special permit for up to 25 non-racing events per year Tuesday, Jan. 16.

LRP president and CEO Dicky Riegel said the track is asking for up to 25 events per year that are not “customary or incidental” to normal race track operations.

Riegel said this includes events such as weddings, birthdays, family reunions, anniversaries and celebrations of life. He said the track is asking for up to 25 such events so it does not have to come before the commission for a special permit for each event.

Riegel said LRP had one such event, a wedding with about 50 people, in 2023.

During questioning from commissioners, Riegel said he was agreeable to establishing limits on events, such as the time of events, when the band at a wedding has to stop (10 p.m., for example) and the maximum number of attendees.

P&Z chair Michael Klemens said at the outset that the hearing would be continued to the commission’s regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20, to allow the track time to respond.

He noted that 12 letters had come in, and he read the letter from the Lime Rock Citizens Council (LRCC) because that organization represents some 200 people.

The LRCC’s letter challenged the notion of a “blanket” special permit and expressed concerns about noise. All 12 letters oppose granting the application as presented. Several cited the lack of details on events.