Go-Karts Are Coming To Somers Golf Center

There is a chance that by the Fourth of July holiday travelers along Main Street will hear a faint whir coming from the Somers Golf Center.

The sound will be from new outdoor electric go-karts whizzing around a 1,015-foot long concrete track that will be built at the rear of the property behind the existing 18-hole miniature golf course and batting cages.

Tuesday night, the Zoning Commission approved a special permit request submitted by 349 Main Street LLC, owner of the actvity center that also includes a driving range and Sonny's Restaurant.

Prior to voting on the request the commission held a 7-minute long public hearing, just enough time for Timothy Coon of J.R. Russo & Associates LLC, an engineering and surveying company based in East Windsor, to present the proposal and commissioners to ask for public comment - there was none.

The plan has already been approved by the wetlands commission and received a positive recommendation from the planning and conservation commissions, along with the health department official.

"We're excited to make it more of an amuzement center for the local region to enjoy. We want to make it more for the whole family to come out," Jonathan Murray said after the vote; Murray represents the owner.

In addition to the track, a small pit building will be constructed for maintenance and storage associated with the track and the 24 go-karts. The septic system will be expanded to accomodate the anticipated additional customers, along with the parking area where another 32 spaces will be created.

The project is within the 100 year flood plain so compensatory storage will be created on the far side of the wetland, as approved by the wetlands commission.

The track will be pitched inward so that any runoff can be collected in a single location and go through a series of filters before being discharged to a wetland at the rear of the site.