The Washington Township Zoning Hearing Board held another hearing to consider a proposal by Ronald Wallace to build a drag racing strip in Washington Township. Many local residents oppose the project due to concerns about noise, pollution of air and groundwater, and inappropriate land use. Testimony was heard from residents living near one of Wallace's existing strips who experience loud noise and smells from races three nights a week. Several experts also testified, citing issues with adequate water supply, sewage disposal, and safety hazards from fuels used by the drag cars. The zoning board did not make a decision and will continue deliberating on the application.

1. York Dispatch, The (PA)
January 14, 2009
Section: Local
By: Bonnie E. Eskridge
Drag Racing Strip Continues to be a Hot Issue
The Washington Township Zoning Hearing Board held another in a series of meetings
to consider Ronald Wallace’s proposal to build a drag racing strip in Washington
Township. The hearing was held at 21 Creek Road in East Berlin, PA at 7 p.m. and
lasted for several hours. The board did not come to a decision on the matter. Another
hearing is scheduled for January 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington Township building.
Wallace’s proposal to build a drag racing strip in Washington Township is a hot
issue. Kralltown Elementary School was overflowing with local residents, many of
whom had to stand throughout the proceedings.
Opposition for Wallace’s proposed drag racing strip is gaining momentum. Many of
the people who testified before the board were residents of Washington Township who
would be directly affected by the installation of the drag racing strip as it would be in
close proximity to their homes.
The residents of Washington Township have multiple concerns connected with
Wallace’s drag racing strip, including noise, air, and ground water pollution. Susan
Sardino said her major concern is that spillage from accidents and fuel will pollute
ground water and consequently the well water on her property, which adjoins Wallace’s
property. Sardino also acted as spokesperson for some of her neighbors who supported
her argument that the drag racing strip would be disadvantageous to Washington
Township and even signed a petition to that effect.
Groups of local residents were also legally represented at the hearing. Attorney David
Jones had multiple clients from Washington Township, including Susan Sardino.
Attorney Archie Diveglia also attended the hearing and represented local residents
opposed to the drag racing strip.
Ronald Wallace was represented by Attorney Rex Bickley, who asked witnesses how
a drag racing strip would affect noise and traffic levels any more than another project that
could be proposed for Washington Township such as a shopping center.
Wallace himself was not asked to testify, and the hearing was dominated by the
opposition.
Vernon Graham is a resident of Boiling Springs who has lived ¼ mile from a drag
racing strip owned by Wallace since 1985. Graham indicated that the drag racing strip
was very noisy and that he could distinctly hear the car engines roaring, the tires
squealing, and the loudspeaker announcements blaring on the days of the races. He
claimed that the noise level was so intense during the races that it prevented him from
carrying on a conversation on his property. Graham also said that he could sometimes
smell “black rubber smoke” as well as the smoke caused by the burning of trash in drums
after the races. Wallace’s current proposal involves building a strip in Washington
Township and holding races three nights a week. Graham said that he “could not live in
that environment”.

2. Several expert witnesses also testified at the meeting, including David Still, an
Acoustician who estimates high noise levels associated with the racetrack. Richard
Schmoyer is the Director of Planning and Development for Adams County. Schmoyer
testified that after closely examining Wallace’s case, he came to the conclusion that the
proposed site of the strip is in a “lower density, residential rural setting” and that building
it would be inappropriate. Byron Trout, Township Engineer for Washington Township,
reviewed Wallace’s proposal and also felt that the strip would not be harmonious with the
surrounding environment. Trout voiced his concern that there is not an adequate water
supply, nor is there a proper set-up for sewage disposal. Kevin Brehem, an Emergency
Management Coordinator, said that materials used at the strip such as methanol, which is
used to fuel the drag racing cars, would be “extremely hazardous”. He felt that the small
fire department in Washington Township would be ill-equipped to respond to a
conflagration at the drag racing strip caused by this highly flammable fuel.
Wallace and local residents of Washington Township will continue to wait anxiously
for the Washington Township Zoning Hearing Board’s decision on the drag racing strip.
Attorney Victor A. Neubaum “will advise the board in deliberations on the drag racing
strip and the board will not discuss evidence until the case is completed”.