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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 15; Carlsbad Raceway; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (13)? 1 929 GOLDENROD AVENUE CORONA del MAR, CALIFORNIA ORiole 3-3985 December 14, 1963. City of Carlsbad 2960 Pi0 Pic0 Drive Carlsbad, California Attention: Members of the City Council Gent 1 e men, I have received notice that an appeal has been submitted requesting that you reverse the decision of the City Planning Commission to grant a cond- itional use permit for the construction of and op- eration of the Carlsbad Dragway. It is my understanding that the appeal has been filed by a few of the owners of land in the area of the Dragway site. Prior to our plans they had given no indication of an intent to develop their properties in any way and it is my opinion that their objections am based on a lack of understand- ing of what dragways are, how they are operated and how they benefit a community. Your City Planner and members of your City Plan- ning Commission did take the time and effort to investigate the effects of dragway operations in other communities through channels of their own choosing ans made their decision, knowing all of the facts. The Carlsbad Dragway will be one of the finest, if not the finest in the world. It will attract 250,000 spectators and participants during the first year of operation, and, assuming that the sport continues its present rate of growth, over 500,000 a year by 1967. Please bear in mind that a large percentage of these visitdrs would never have occasion to come to Carlsbad for other reasons. The Ifletnorial Day 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis attracts approximately 250,000 spectators and I can assure you that the merchants, businessmen and residents of the area are very pleased to have them. c-.. 929 GOLDENROD AVENUE CORONA del MAR, CALIFORNIA ORiole 3-3985 Carlsbad will have new visitors almost every week throughout the entire year as a direct result of the Carlsbad Dragway, thereby realizing a steady flow of new business and revenue. It is true that Carlsbad merchants will have to increase their facilities to handle this additional business. In our discussions with these people they have expressed not only their willingness but a desire to expand to meet the demand. A thought that might logically arise from this statement is that only the Service Stations, Restaurants, Motels, Automotive Parts Companies and related businesses might benefit from the increased visitors; however, don't overlook the fact that a portion of every dollar spent in Carlsbad, for whatever purpose, wfll remain in circulation in Carlsbad and every time it changes hands for any reason, some business or individual will benefit. Drag racing is a relatively new sport, having started shortly after World War Two on abandoned airports, The benefits of youth being able to par- ticipate in SUperVlS8d racing competition rather than on public streets and highways was immediate- ly obvious and prompted law enforcement people, community groups and service clubs to sponsor new tracks. The sport is now expanding in landslide proportions and it has been proven that the com- munity benefits are conslderabla, I am enclosing copies of letters written by prominent people in their varied and respective capacities, which strongly verify the benefits to society that I am setting forth in this letter. The public interest in high performance cars and acceleration racing is evident, so evident that the new car manufacturers recognize it as such an important factor that they gear a large portion of their production to high performance equipment, making it available to anyone desiring to order it. It is now possible to purchase a new car off the showroom floor capable speeds in the range of 150 miles per hour when most maximum allowable legal speed limits are 65-75 miles per how 929 GOLDENROD AVENUE CORONA del MAR, CALIFORNIA ORiolc 3-3985 People are buying these cars and it is only natural that they are testing them to see how well they will perform. Which is the better place for them to get the urge for speed out of their system? On public streets and highways, or on supervised dragways where they must stop racing as soon as they pass the quarter mile distance, where their cars must meet rigid safety standards and with every possible precaution taken for their safety and the safety of spectators, Drag racing gives youth(some not so young) an outlet for their ingenuity, creativlty, com- petitive spirit and helps to develop good work habits. There are thousands of people, including Carlsbads Jim Nelson and Dode Martin, who have developed their hobby into business ventures employing many more thousands of people, cont- ributing to the general economg of their respec- tive areas. The presence of the Carlsbad Dragway will encowage other firms to locate in Carlsbad and further benefit; the general economy. In summary, I can understand that anything as new and dffferent as the Carlsbad Dragway is certain to have some obJectors; however, it is my sincere belief that the benefits to the res- idents and merchants of Carlsbad will be so sub- stantial that in a very short while it will be as highly regarded by the citizens of Carlsbad as the Dodger Stadium is now regarded by the citizens of Los Angeles.