Anti-racing charter amendment gets green light

Proper drafting is important on the racetrack and in government documents. That's a lesson learned at a Charter Revision Commission meeting on Friday by NASCAR opponents who fought through another setback in the ongoing effort to write Fairgrounds Nashville racing out of the city charter.

In its place, a proposed charter revision would add affordable housing as a required activity at the complex, which currently includes a newly renovated expo center, Nashville SC's Geodis Park, the mixed-use development 445 Park Commons, and a deteriorating speedway used for weekend auto sports. A court challenge from retired race car driver Neil Chaffin forced petitioners to submit a second draft that more clearly explains the referendum’s purpose. Delayed by the lawfare, NASCAR opponents must now observe another 30-day window for any more appeals. Assuming no further delays, the referendum campaign will then race to gather some 50,000 signatures to qualify the charter amendment for the Nov. 3 ballot.