Kil-Kare Speedway zoning change on May 8 ballot

The raceway last year sought a zoning change for nearly 23 acres of land to build a storage facility. In an application to the township, Marshall Foiles, operations director at Kil-Kare, said he wanted to change the zoning to build a “store and locks” type of facility.

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But David Reed, a Dayton attorney for Nutter Enterprises, said residents in the area were concerned that the re-zoned land could be used for other types of businesses, including possibly “adult entertainment.”

“They (some residents) don’t like the unknown, that it was passed without explanation on how the 22 acres would be used,” Reed said Friday.

The ballot language briefly describes the zoning amendment, and then simply asks: “Shall the zoning amendment as adopted by the Xenia Township Board of Trustees be approved?,” followed by a “yes” or “no” response.

A citizen referendum to place the question on a ballot was seen as a distinct possibility, Reed said last summer.

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After the trustees’ vote, the attorney said Friday, “I was approached by some citizens about what it takes to take it to the ballot.”

Opponents say the zoning reclassification would open the land to an array of possible business uses. Principally, they feared an excess of noise and light, Reed has said.

The land in question is just north of Dayton-Xenia Road, about 50 feet west of that road’s intersection with Hawkins Road near Kil-Kare.

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Said Reed, “Now it’s on the ballot, and it’s in the citizens’ hands … We remain concerned that Kil-Kare is not telling the whole story.”

Only township voters will vote on the matter.

The petition to put the question on the ballot got just shy of 400 signatures, Reed said.

“It’s a big process,” he said.

A message seeking comment was left with Kil-Kare. A message was also left for Alan Stock, administrator of Xenia Twp.