HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) A family whose home sits just feet from the Myrtle Beach Speedway said their lives have been turned upside down in just a matter of days after many changes were made to the Speedway.
William Stull lives in the Emerald Lakes Subdivision, and his home sits only feet in front of the Speedway. Stull said in just a matter of days, all the vegetation behind his home was knocked down. Stull said he would like to see some type of apology for ruining his backyard without any type of warning.
"I looked at it as a straight violation. They didn't have to take things as far as they could have stopped up there. They could have spared my bamboo grove. I even asked them, 'could you go around,' they had more than enough room to go around it and they were just non-caring," Stull said.
Stull said ever since Horry County knocked down the vegetation in his backyard and exposed the Myrtle Beach Speedway track, the pollution from the engines goes straight into his yard, and he doesn't feel safe letting his children play outside.
"Now we can taste the rubber. We can smell the fuels and the emissions. Anything that comes from over there, drifts right over here," Stull said.
Although races aren't held at the Speedway seven days per week, the Nascar Experience is available daily. It's an attraction that lets people drive a racecar around the track, and it's causing noise complaints from the neighborhood.
"I have nothing against the racetrack. These people are trying to make a living and I understand that and I wish them the best. But they could be a little more thoughtful about people right behind the racetrack," Bill Swinimer said.
Myrtle Beach Speedways CEO and President, Bob Lutz, said the digging in the backyards of some Emerald Lakes neighbors, is Horry County's doing, in an effort to improve conditions in the event of a flood. Lutz said, as far as noise is concerned, he has made specific changes at the Speedway just to make sure he's a good neighbor.
"The racing here in the past has gone all day during racing events. We don't do that. We've shortened the schedule. I said, I will promise you I will make every effort to have these races done by 10 o'clock every night," Lutz said.
Cars have been making noise at the racetrack for 54 years. Bill Swinimer said he understands he chose to live by the track, but he would just like to see it a little quieter.
"There's children in bed. It's scaring the animals. You can't hear, if you're watching a show, you might as well shut the television off, you can't hear it. So they just need to quiet down some, put up a sound wall. You know, I don't think I'm asking too much."
WMBF News is waiting on more information from Horry County as far as what exactly will be done with the exposed area behind Stull's yard.
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