| The
MXGP project to construct a motocross park
with three motorcycle racetracks on 58 acres
in the Maltby area is on hold indefinitely.It
turns out that the former gravel pit at 18827
Yew Way – upon which the motocross park
was to be built – is designated as a
mineral-resource site to be preserved. It’s
a new designation, part of Snohomish County’s
10-year update of its Comprehensive Plan. Changes
to the Comp Plan became effective on Feb. 1.
On Feb. 8, MXGP of Kirkland submitted the application
for the project. The Comp Plan update created
a new zone, “R-5 with MRO,” one
home per five acres with a Mineral Resource
Overlay (MRO). The gravel pit falls within
the new zone. And according to the Comp Plan’s “R-5
with MRO Use Matrix,” racetracks are
not allowed. Tracks are allowed in R-5, however.
An extremely frustrated Gary Strode, president
and co-owner of MXGP Inc., said in a phone
conversation, “We’re stalled
out until we can get the matrix changed or
until the council eliminates the MRO designation.
I’m told that could be an 18-month
to two-year process.”
Strode said he has been doing some research
on the R-5 with MRO zone and it appears this
new zone affects eight properties in the
the county. His feeling is that the county
created the zone to stop projects like his
motocross park.
“I planned to put this park where
they wanted it,” said Strode. “Now
they’ve changed the rules. There are
only eight properties in the entire county
that this (mineral resource overlay) affects.
I’ve researched other properties. There
is no other place (the motocross project)
could go.”
Erik Olson, principal planner for Snohomish
County Planning and Development Services
(PDS), wrote in an e-mail, “PDS has
completed its first review of the (MXGP)
project and has informed the applicant of
several issues that need to be resolved before
the project can continue. The MRO designation
use issue is just one of the issues. All
comments have been given to the applicant
and it is now up to them as to how they will
proceed.”
Indeed, the R-5 with MRO designation, which
disallows racetracks, is a big hurdle. But
a savvy, unified, vocal opposition to a track
at that site is another obstacle. Greg Lund,
speaking on behalf of the Maltby Clearview
Community Coalition, the group opposing the
motocross project, said that residents submitted
over a thousand opposition letters to the
county, possibly the largest number of letters
ever received for any proposal.
Lund said in an e-mail, “We feel that
motocross is a fun activity but there is
a place for everything and Maltby is not
the place. Maltby is a residential area.
Motocross does not belong in a residential
area. … Without special allowance from
the county, the track cannot be built at
the Maltby pit. Given the other problems
at the site, contaminants dumped and the
huge public outcry against the racetrack,
such a special allowance would certainly
be doubtful.”
Strode is quick to point out that the dumping
of contaminants on the site has nothing to
do with MXGP. Cleaning up the site is up
to the current owner, Rinker Materials.
“It’s Rinker’s obligation.
It’s between Rinker and Snohomish County,” said
Strode.
Moreover, public opposition, he believes,
can be addressed administratively.
“Neighbor complaints,” said
Strode, “could be heard by a Hearing
Examiner. He could also take expert testimony
(about the environmental and noise issues)
and (assign mitigation to compensate for
any impacts).”
Strode said, “(Motocross enthusiasts)
need a place that is safe and organized with
medical staff nearby.”
It remains to be seen if Maltby is such
a place.
Maltby / Clearview residents are hoping
MXGP commits to another site. They say they
won’t let their guard down until it
does.
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2006
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