Saint John Motocross - Presentation Materials
July 23rd, 2007 by Shawn
Following my last post on the Saint John Motocross issue, I was able to find the contact information for Michael McGovern, who gave the presentation last week. I sent off an email and received a reply soon after with presentation materials attached. I am making the power point slide available for download right here! I would encourage you to view it, as it provides a lot of information that will explain the situation. I fully support the citizens in the effected areas, and I will be watching common council tonight and hoping that the motocross track will be closed!
Also, here are the discussion points from last week’s presentation:
- Track is located close to residential neighbourhoods. The easterly parts of the track are located 832ft / 254m from the nearest houses in Monte Cristo.
- Geography is also an issue. The upper houses in Monte Cristo, the neighbourhoods of Gault Road and Alvic Place are at approximately the same elevation as the track.
- Residents of Ocean Westway face both noise and traffic issues.
- There are approximately 720 homes within 2 kilometres of the motocross track.
- Noise complaints come from beyond the immediate neighbourhoods. Noise complaints have come from as far as South Bay.
- Residents have been keeping track of the motocross track operation. It operates at least three times per week and has operated on every day of the week, including on a Sunday.
- The issue is not specifically the number of bikes that use the track at any time. The issue is noise. A few bikes can still make a lot of noise.
- The noise levels are not medically harmful. This is not a hearing loss issue. The noise is a nuisance noise.
- Residents have made hundreds of call to police. This has an impact on police operations. Residents have made many calls to Councilors too.
- Ocean Westway residents have made numerous calls to police regarding unlicensed motocross bikes on the streets and trespassing on private property.
- Commercial versus private operation has been raised by some as an issue. The residents do not agree that this is an issue. The zoning by-law prohibits this activity as it is written now. This is a PUBLIC track, not a private track.
- The Noise by-law is ineffective. It is too specific to be useful for unique situations like this. Council must consider an amendment.
- The zoning by-law clearly prohibits this use now. Rural zoning can only include some uses. A motocross track is not one of those uses. Other uses can be approved by the PAC, but a cycle track is specifically prohibited.
- The zoning by-law prohibits changing the use of a property without prior permission. The property use has changed. No permission has been requested or granted.
- This operation is not a “park” within the intended meaning in the by-law.
- This motocross track is an affront to Council’s Vision 2015 plan. The plan for this general area is for residential housing. A motocross track in this area with inhibit growth.
- The consequences of a recent provincial amendment will mean that the city will face this issue again if it is not resolved soon.
- The residents will request that Council act, and act quickly to resolve this issue.
Posted in Saint John Politics |
August 1st, 2007 at 9:37 pm
[...] The group, which has raised noise and safety concerns about the track and contend it’s violating the city’s zoning bylaw because it’s zoned rural and is being used for a commercial operation, remains optimistic, said McGovern. “The political will is there and for us; that’s a big part of the battle.” For more information on the issues with the track and the zoning bylaw violations, see my previous post - Saint John Motocross - Presentation Materials. [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Why can this city not have something recreational without the “whiners” of SJ sticking their nose’s in it? I have been a west side resident for years and live very close to the track. The noise is not bad. What’s next? Closing the 4-lane highway that runs between Monte Cristo and the track because the trucks are too noisy? This city is INCREDIBLY boring. A big part of this “boringness” is because of all the whiners. Get over yourselves people, and realize that much more good is comming from this than bad. There are no bikes on it at unreasonable hours, so let’s stop being so ridiculously unreasonable about this track. It’s a fantastic thing for this city, we need more things like this around here.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Thanks for your comment Sean!
While I do agree the city does need more facilities to attract and retain people, I believe that this specific facility should be shut down. It is clear from the amount of people who are adversely effected by the track that it is bothersome. Nobody will stand up and fight like this unless it really is effecting them in their own homes.
The other clear issue for me is the fact the track is in violation of the zoning for the area. I’m personally sick and tired of people doing what they want, fully aware of the zoning restrictions, then going to PAC for rezoning once they are finished. Enough is enough. If the track is not zoned properly, it should be shut down. We would not be here today if the owner had done things properly and applied for rezoning before building the track.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
I live on the East side and am not personally affected by the track, however we are bikers and would visit the track to watch, even pay an entry fee. I would like the exact location so we could check it out for ourselves. We went over to the area and even tried listening for bikes to find it, but didn’t hear a thing. I agree that neighbors should not have to put up with unnecessary noise, within reason, but it seems the owner seems very willing to do everything he can to cut down on the noise. I personally find it very annoying when people use lawnmowers at 9am on a Saturday morning but we can’t force them to stop. From what I heard from the council meeting, the noise barely registered on the meter as compared to a lawnmower. What next, will we shoot all the little birdies that tweet in the morning because we can hear them?
September 5th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Hi Louise,
Thanks for the comments. Please see the power point presentation for more information:
http://saintjohnshawn.com/wp_documents/Council_Presentation_Re_West_Side_Motocross.ppt
October 26th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I feel for you folks. We live in what used to be a peaceful valley outside of Edmonton Alberta. About two years ago a guy built a track and tried for a permit from our County Council. We got 250 signatures, and 30 people to show up at the meeting to oppose it. He withdrew his application and has since held santioned races and built a second track. I cannnot enjoy my home when the races are going on. We are trying to get the County to shut him down but that may not happen. It may end up going to court. It will be worth the cost to us otherwise we would have to move. I look forward to knowing how your battle neds.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:24 am
“Love the track”.
It is currently contained to certain days during daylight times. While it may bring a slight bit of noise to the area, it can be limited. There are ways to lessen the noise, its not really that big of a deal. I live East, close to a railway crossing, and no one shut it down due to noise. I frequently hear train horns at 2-3-4 in the morning. At least the bikes only run a couple days a week during the day light hours.
Personally, I say “thanks” to the man who runs it- “see you in the spring”.
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
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