STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD OBJECTS TO PROPOSED TRACK

  

An overflow crowd packed the County Commissioner’s Courtroom this morning for a public hearing for a proposed club type race track.  Residents from the Wonder Hill Road area came to hear the proposal and object to it.  Specifically, the hearing was for a Tax Phase-in Incentive for the property on Wonder Hill Road where the proposed track would be built.

Colby and VonSchmidt
EDF Project Manager Clint Colby (left) and track developer Charles Von Schmidt

Clint Colby, Project Manager with the Economic Development Foundation, began by stating that the developers would be investing 5 million dollars into the facility.  As questions began to be asked, Judge Brieden asked track developer Charles Von Schmidt to give some details about the proposed facility.   Von Schmidt explained that the track would be used for car clubs to drive on a road race course, primarily on the weekends and would not be designed for pro level drivers or cars.  He stated that most of the cars on the track would be driven to the events and that the noise level would be no louder that Highway 290.  Von Schmidt said that he intends to live on the property and there would be no events taking place at night.

Walt Schoenvogel small
County resident Walt Schoenvogel voices his objections to the proposed track.

 

Numerous residents from the Wonder Hill Road area voiced their concerns that the track would bring increased traffic to the narrow county road and that the noise from the track would disrupt the quiet country residential area.  Most of the residents stated that the proposed site was not a good location for the facility.  After about an hour of hearing comments and questions, Judge Brieden stated that another public hearing would be scheduled to allow everyone more time to voice their concerns.  The Commissioners voted to table the proposal until that meeting is set.

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26 Comments

  1. Unfortunately the county judge and county commissioners don’t care much about what residents think. Until Washington County decides to create noise ordinances, we are victims of whatever our neighbors want to do – whether it causes harm or inconvenience to us or not. I have learned, the hard way, that they’ll do whatever they want – just as long as it benefits them personally. I truly feel for the residents for Wonder Hill. I hope and pray that your homes and lives aren’t made a nightmare like many other areas of Washington County now are, because of things like this. In Washington County it’s money first, personal perks for county officials second, and quality of life for the rest of us dead last!

    1. Would the residents of Wonder Hill Road prefer a subdivision as their neighbor? Hundreds of houses on a 200 acre parcel? That’s a lot more traffic and a lot more water being sucked out of the ground. Also a lot more lighting at night and impervious cover which contributes to flooding and runoff.
      This guy’s plan seems pretty unoffensive to me, but not sure about the tax incentives.
      Not too many rich folks from Houston are buying farms in Brenham any more, so it’s time for a reality check for the locals.

    2. Hey Excessive Noise in your comment you say ” I hope and pray that your homes and lives aren’t made a nightmare like many other areas of Washington County now ” I am Just curious Can you list a few examples of those “nightmares” I am curious as to what you are referring to. Thanks.

  2. This IS American, and for that we are thankful. But there are systems in place to allow citizens to protect their interests. In this case the citizens and residents of the Wonder Hill community, a community that has been in place for over 150 years, wish to protect their land and what it represents to them, peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Clearly Mr. Von schmidt prefers the fast life and he can have it, but he should have it where it will be welcome. It isn’t as though we moved in on him and then claimed his race track was a nuisance. We were here first. If Washington County wants to take this developer’s word for the all the economic benefits his race track will bring then they should help him find an appropriate location for it. Wonder Hill has already been claimed for different uses.

  3. I think it was just a short while ago I read something where a county commissioner fussed and voted against a tax abatement….because the county needed the $$$$. Where is this commissioners remarks or was he afraid to speak up because he knows he will be out-voted once AGAIN by an administration who is not keeping an eye over yours and mine tax dollars! We need an abatement also!

  4. Yes, you’re right Lois…this is America, and if our sly county commissioners think they will pass this then we will decide at the voting booth if they get to continue their part time jobs. I would have never moved to this area had I known this was going to happen. So much for the vision of “The Birthplace of Texas”.

    1. America, land of the free, home of the brave. This is a free enterprise country. There’s always other alternatives if one decides they just can’t abide it. I completely understand how you feel. Cotton Bowl speedway was built less than .25 miles from our home. Yeah, traffic is a bit hectic, but you just have to take another route when there’s races on the weekends. I even built myself a dirt track car myself. I would love to come to the one in Washington County, if it ever gets built.

      1. The ” other alternative” was for me to move from Dallas to get away from all this. I specifically bought in Washington County, after an extensive search for land, and I specifically bought in the Wonder Hill area for the distant views and night sky. The developer’s “other alternative” is to do the right thing and buy COMMERCIAL land that is already developed for COMMERCIAL business, not come in and destroy 274 acres of farmland in the middle of a residential area. As far as “another route” to avoid traffic, there isn’t one. One way in and out. But I’m sure taxpayers will have to pay for improvements for that issue as well. So long Washington County. I will pay my taxes elsewhere, after a take a loss on my property.

        1. Good points, except there are other routes out of Wonder Hill to SH 36 and US 290, not all are paved so might get the SUV dirty. Funny to even think of Wonder Hill as a residential neighborhood since it was considered farmland not that long ago. Many of the old farms were chopped up into little tracts to make someone the most money possible at the time. Adding a subdivision and a lot of little tracts in the neighborhood definitely changed things and increased traffic.
          So same old story, someone else trying to make the most money possible.

          1. It still is farmland – that’s the point. There is only one small “sub-division” on Spring Creeek Road. The rest of us have acreage that we purchased specifically to get away from this type of thing. The city has 200 acres that they never used for a landfill. Why not use that???

            We maintain a registered Apiary on our farm. This racetrack will remove 270 acres of wildflowers that has been a major source of nectar during the Spring and Fall. This property is 2.2 miles from our Apiary which is well within the foraging radius of honey bees.

            If this guy does successfully do this, he will have to sleep at night knowing that almost everyone around him hates his guts. Once the land goes commericial – there is nothing stopping him from doing what he wants with the property – which is probably another subdivision like he built at Lake Livingston.

  5. This is just another example of someone coming into our county and trying to profit at the expense of everyone who has lived here for years, destroying property values of their neighbors for their own personal gain. The noise level of highway 290 is a lie. High performace, high RPM engines are much different than passenger cars at highway speed.

    There is also a big liability in the increased traffic flow on Wonder Hill Road. This road is narrow with *blind hills*. Just wait until someone gets killed going over one of those hills with a race person barreling down the other way. It is a major safety concern. Has anyone thought about this? Just stupidity.

  6. I’m not familiar with Wonder Hill, but here’s a thought. If there are enough residents there and they want to have more control over the future of their area, they could incorporate themselves into a “general rule city” or a “home rule city” (depending on population) and establish their own ordinances. That would also protect them from the annexation sprawl by Houston and annexation by any other city.

    1. If the Wonder Hill residents REALLY don’t want this track there, they can always make an offer on the 274 acres them selves…..Right? I’m assuming this developer owns this land? if so, he can do as he pleases with it.

  7. A motorcycle bar opened near my property and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Sure the noise is only on the weekends but it is miserable! My neighbor could not sell her house because of the bar and there is no doubt that it has affected our property values. Take the race track to Hwy 290 and keep it out of the rural neighborhood. Washington County promotes itself to city dwellers as a quiet getaway from the city. Will they turn away future buyers that are a huge boost to the County (they spend a lot of money here improving properties) just for one venue?!!! The leaders that I have met in Washington County are long term visionaries and I do not doubt they will stay the course.

  8. Last time I checked this was America. This will be proceeding forward because as long as the developer follows the septic requirements he is able to build what he wished, where he wishes. There are no building requirement for the county that I know of. It looks like all he wants is a tax break. Get ready neighbors, Starr your engines

  9. Just curious if the above 2 commentors LIVE in the proposed race track area? That’s the problem…Wonder Hill is a farming/small neighborhood community, one not suited for a race track and the traffic that goes with it. If I wanted to live next to the noise, I’d move to the city. If your property values were directly effected, I think you might take more offense to this proposal. Not opposed to the entertainment value, just not in a residential area.

  10. First of all this might have went over a little bit better if our commissioner, Mr. Hueske would have been straight forward with the residents instead of keeping it to himself! I’m glad someone just happened to check the agenda for commissioners court and stumbled upon it, or we might have never been told! Having that out of the way, by no means do we want a race track on our beautiful scenic acres of land where our cattle, horses, and other animals reside etc…This is why we live in the country!! And I find it amazing that the Brenham Economic Development Foundation is already in full support…Really?? With no public forum or anything to let people know about it? Just doesn’t seem right to this country girl…Please build your racetrack somewhere else.

  11. If this is a great event for the county, why don’t we put next to your houses and let you deal with the mess. Wonder Hill Lane is a narrow road, with small ditches along side of the roads and very rough in areas. I enjoy my quiet weekends, in the Wonder Hill area. Just what I need traffic up an down this road all weekend long. It will become unsafe for my kids and our animals. Who will pick up the trash, that is blow all over the country side?

    It is always a great idea, until it comes to your neighborhood, I vote we put it in yours!

    1. Walter: As I’ve mentioned earlier, THERE IS A TRACK next to my house. Trust me, it’s not satan moving in, it’s PROGRESS. I’ve heard the term “Farm Land” thrown around quite a bit. Well, back in the advent of the formation of the USA the entire USA belonged to the Indians, and the Spainards, Mexicans, British etc…Yep, it’s called PROGRESS. My ancestors sailed here on a Clipper Ship named the “Ben Nevis” from Sorbia, Europe, circa 1775. They fled for religious freedom, and settled in what is now Serbin, Texas, you know, where St. Pauls’s Lutheran Church, the oldest church in the state was built by the Rev. Alfred Killian, and the followers that sailed here with him. They didn’t sail from Amsterdam to Ellis Island either, they sailed to the port of Galveston. The Govt. was selling “sections” of land for .25 USD per acre, and they financed it. Little did they know oil would be found in the 70’s, and their heirs would all be millionaires, long after their deaths. So I would suggest that all you folk just settle down and let the Law of the land take it’s due course. Thank you.

  12. Let’s let the residents of Wonder HIll decide what is good for everyone concerned seeing that we live here and you do not.

  13. This would be a big boost to Brenham and Washington counties economy, The people bringing their cars to these types of events as well as spectators from out of town will need Hotels , restaurants, gas , and may even shop while her.. I think this would be something local residents could enjoy as a family as well. I hope this passes , I for one would love seeing Brenham having something like this.

    1. I’d like to know how local families will enjoy the PRIVATE track. The property will be equipped with RV hookups, which means that the men that bring their cars out will likely be camping on the property- not staying in hotels. They’ll likely go to Walmart to buy Doritos and whatever necessities they’ve forgotten, but if you think than money stays in Brenham, you’re mistaken. Meanwhile, the businesses in Brenham that sell farming equipment and cattle feed will take a huge hit.

  14. This is a great day! This sport would be good for everyone concerned. I’ve been involved in motor sports all my life, and it’s a lot of fun, and entertaining as well. Personally, I think this sport would be an excellent income for all involved. I’m more than certain it would grow on everyone after just a short while. The new Cotton Bowl Speedway is just down the road from us, and it’s not bad at all.

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