Council is closer to closing the Saint John Motocross track

Today’s newspaper story explains the latest twist in the Saint John Motocross issue. Common Council has now passed a motion to start the closure process for the Saint John Motocross track.

Mike McGovern, spokesman for area residents opposed to the West Side track, located near the Monte Cristo Park subdivision, was initially worried that council voted on the motion without waiting for a report from city staff. “We understand it is likely there’s only one opportunity to do this and it needs to be done right,” he explained. “We can’t afford to lose this on a technicality.” But his concern was tempered after hearing council’s debate Monday night. “The motion made it seem like they they’d be out there this morning enforcing (the zoning bylaw), whether they had all the facts or not.”

City manger Terry Totten recommended against council moving ahead and was visibly annoyed when the motion passed. Totten will submit a report to council on the issue at the next meeting and McGovern doubts any significant action will be taken before then. “Obviously things are going to go on behind the scenes at city hall,” he said. “But two weeks is a short period of time in a zoning enforcement issue. “Council will still have the benefit of a staff report before any public action is taken.”

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.

I hope that once the report is ready, council will then be ready to enforce the bylaw and finally close the Motocross track! Also, check out this CBC article for more information!