ROSWELL, Ga. — Some Roswell residents are trying to put the brakes on plans for go-kart racing outside an entertainment complex.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games on Alpharetta Highway already features an indoor track, but neighbors say outdoor go-karts would make too much noise.
At 35 miles per hour, the super carts at Andretti offer a thrilling ride. There are plans to take the race outside by laying a pair of tracks on a parking lot facing side street Houze Way, but some residents are putting up a fight.
Race Track Raises Furor In Roswell
"It is not only going to damage the tranquility. There are a numbers of residents who say they will leave if this happens. They will leave," said Bebe Burkhardt, president of a retirement community a few blocks away.
Andretti general manager said the outdoor carts will not be a nuisance, partially because they'll stop running at 11 p.m.
Andretti also recently hired an acoustics company that conducted neighborhood sound tests while 20 carts were running outside. The results came within the city noise ordinance limit and the planning commission approved the outdoor track project.
Homeowner Denise Rouch said she isn't convinced on the accuracy of the sound study, but it's not just potential noise that bothers her.
"It's just not in keeping with the nature of the neighborhood. It also could really affect out property values," Rouch said.
The planning commission has given the green light to the outdoor track expansion, but the full City Council will make a final decision on the proposal next month.