What's wrong with our Sport???

[Flyboy500]

This track was only operating on Thursdays from 4pm-dark and Saturdays from 10am-4pm. The people who made complaints live 2 miles away and state that they can't stand the noise.... This track is located in the country directly next to the Ohio Turnpike. One Woman live nowhere near the track and still was at the meeting shooting the track down. Here is exactly what was written in the local newspaper.


By David Kerester
Tribune Chronicle
Newton Township- Planning and Zoning Members introduced a proposed zoning amendment that would allow outdoor motor sports tracks under strict conditions, then listened for two hours as a packed room of township residents took turns praising and criticizing the idea.
The proposal was introduced as a result of a behind-the-scenes compromise worked out between township attorney Mark Finnamore and attorney Sam Bluedorn, representing Full Throttle Raceway owner Mark Spletzer.
About 50 residents filled the small board room inside the township administration building Wednesday night, with sides about equally split between those supporting the track and those opposed.
No vote was taken on the proposal at the meeting. The board next meets in January.
Spletzer's motocross track, built in September, is on a 46 acre parcel of township land zoned residential/agricultural and spurred 15 complaints about the noise during the short time it was operating before closing for the season this month.
The compromise specifies that any motor sports track must be located in an industrially zoned area of the township and must adhere to restrictions and conditions outlined by the zoning board with regard to size, on-site buildings,number of employees,type and number of vehicles in use,fencing,screening and signage. The amendment also stipulates that the track cannot, by any reason of noise,vibration,dust,oder or traffic congestion, constitute a nuisance.
Trustees voted to ban racetracks in the township last month, a law that goes into effect before the end of the year. If accepted by the zoning board, the new provisions would go to the trustees for final approval.
Among those questioning the compromise was Robert Pittman, one of many Miller Graber Road residents who oppose Spletzer's operation.
Pittman said giving Spletzer a conditional use permit and zoning change was an example of spot zoning and would adversely affect property values in the area.
Also opposed was Mariann Curtis of Scott Street, who noted that the Spletzers once commented at a previous meeting that they never would have constructed the track if they knew it would cause problems for others in the area.
Pointing to several residents of Miller Graber Road who filed noise complaints against the track, Curtis shook her head. "Why are we even discussing this? Why hasn't he shut it down?" she asked.
Mark Shepard of Ravenna Road said Spletzer should be given a chance to operate the track.
"I doubt if many people in this room would use the track there because of age or physical limitations, but for younger kids comming up, where do they go? This is for them. These guys are trying to do something good and they're getting hammered for it," Shepard said.
Charles Canfield, who lives adjacent to the track, agreed that it provides local kids a safe and monitored outlet unavailable anywhere else in the township. Canfield said the Ohio Turnpike, which runs adjacent to the track, causes as much noise and dust as the track.
Canfield also questioned why only motocross tracks required a list of potential nuisance concerns to be remedied, noting that the typical dairy farm produces noise,dust and oders as troublesome.
Board member Bill Kolovich managed to keep the meeting running in an orderly fashion despite several momentary flareups among opposing sides.

dkerester@tribune-chronicle.com

Ugh! Some people really suck! Please feel free to voice your comments and suggestions that may help Full Throttle Raceway remain open.
You can also email me at SShepardM@netzero.net
:pissed:
Can't wait till January for the next meeting!
Many people have signed in support of Mark Spletzers track.
Thank You, Flyboy500 I'll take your thought to the next meeting!

 

[Tony Eeds]

Flyboy:

Some ideas of information to present to the council the next time they meet ...

1. Map of the area showing the location of opponents to the track. Distance from the track is the important issue.
2. Are there any sound tests that you can track down indicating the background level of noise fromt the turnpike?
3. Parhaps most importantly, provide some information regarding the potential positive economic impact to the township by patrons of the track. As the track is new it is not likely that the track has generated any reale benefit as yet, but don't discount the potential of folks stopping to get gas and drinks etc at the local stores on the way to the track and at the local car wash on the way home.

Put all your thoughts and information down on paper and be prepared to provide copies to all members of the council as well as any press that might be in attendance.

 

[HobRoff]

Well, first of all ya gotta drop that "Some people suck" attitude, whether they do or not is besides the point and if you plan on giving testimony poor attitude and lack of respect will get you no where. These folks have legitimate gripes.

The problem is in the zoning ie residential. I don't know much about NE Ohio but looking at the operating times 4 to dark and all day Saturday this is exactly the times that people are wanting peace and quiet, maybe have friends over for a BarBque etc. I know I can easily here a 450 thumper from over a mile away and having one much closer running laps would tend to spoil some of my free time as well.

In hindsight it would have been easy to do a feasibility study before the track went in but at this stage of the game I would think the Spletzers might consider scaling back the operation to a limited practice facility or something. Do as Tony suggested, be professional and courteous and maybe things will work out but this is a nationwide trend and as unfortunate as it is many tracks and riding areas are fighting to remain open see www.sharetrails.org and one of the latest posts in the west chapters about a track near me in a similar situation

 

[skatermay2]

I live around there and the ppl around there are pretty gay.

 

[biglou]

I live around there and the ppl around there are pretty gay.

Don't be so hard on yourself! :laugh: :p

 

[JPIVEY]

Both Tony and Hobroff are right on

Is there an exsisting city or County ord. regarding OHV, if not now is the time to work with the county and establish one, it look like the key to keeping this constant feud in balance is the dbs at property line, offset to property line and dust levels.

Dbs @ PL should be 65db, which means you start running 96dbs at the pipe

Don't fight them, they have legitimate complaints and your future riding depends on your ability to work together with everyone involved.

See if you can get a local ( not National )OHV group to help in this

One other thing , try to get that media coverage balanced, that is a big problem, they'll spin it

 

[DancesWithDirt]

JPIVEY is very correct, Don't fight the opposition. We are all highly sensitive people if we are volunteering for any agenda. No matter what! You're sensitive on this topic matter and you want respect. It's wise to give it back by saying, "Hmmm ? and Yikes! What kind of compromise can work for both parties?"

Stick with the local "Friends Groups" even if it's out of your region for help. Check out the Local Forums > Western > So Cal Wrecking Crew > Riverside Meeting thread. (?)


Remember: This issue is "Complaint Generated" therefore individuals of normal sensitivity are caused discomfort or annoyance; which interferes with their comfort, repose, peace, health, etc. It is very unwise to put blame on any other factor than the activity Generating Complaints. One may not be productive by engaging in distractive participation. You will see this from the fringes on the (percieved) other side.

Get the Moto moms and dads to be supportive in a friendly and positive way by engaging in the preservation of our sport and the future of our sport by educating their children of the fact that they may be violating their own privileges, or the privileges of others by not meeting a specific criteria.

If one is going to ask for help, one better take it. Be wary of the media. They eat and soil junk food.

 

[Dirty Di]

JPIVEY is very correct, Don't fight the opposition. We are all highly sensitive people if we are volunteering for any agenda. No matter what! You're sensitive on this topic matter and you want respect. It's wise to give it back by saying, "Hmmm ? and Yikes! What kind of compromise can work for both parties?"

Stick with the local "Friends Groups" even if it's out of your region for help. Check out the Local Forums > Western > So Cal Wrecking Crew > Riverside Meeting thread. (?)


Remember: This issue is "Complaint Generated" therefore individuals of normal sensitivity are caused discomfort or annoyance; which interferes with their comfort, repose, peace, health, etc. It is very unwise to put blame on any other factor than the activity Generating Complaints. One may not be productive by engaging in distractive participation. You will see this from the fringes on the (percieved) other side.

Get the Moto moms and dads to be supportive in a friendly and positive way by engaging in the preservation of our sport and the future of our sport by educating their children of the fact that they may be violating their own privileges, or the privileges of others by not meeting a specific criteria.

If one is going to ask for help, one better take it. Be wary of the media. They eat and soil junk food.

I like the Moto Moms and dads part but you're leaving out that segment of society that doesn't ask where their child is or what their child is doing. Sure, we can educate people all day long but this isn't likely to change the attitude of those who use a bike for a babysitter or they're happy that the kids aren't around to bother them. They're not violating their privelages because they have no privelages and in many cases no license or supervision. You are right, the issue is complaint generated but are the complaints valid. It has been my experience that they are very valid and until the noise limit of 65dbA is raised it won't matter as I know of no bike running at the legal limit of 96dbA that can comply with the 65dbA property line ordinance. So, it really doesn't matter if the bikes are legal or not, what matters is whether or not they can stay within the established sound level represented by the ordinance. At present, they're not even close. Another issue is the illegal operation of equipment on public streets and private lands. We all know this is out of control and it is being done by adult and child alike. So, it might help if the violators knew they get one warning as the second time results in a loss of the bike and a big fine to the parent. They did it with street bikes, it should be the same for dirt bikes.

Dirty Di