Motocross park seeks renewal

Promoters of a controversial motocross park near the Pine Nut Mountains are asking for two more years at the same location.

On Tuesday, the Douglas County Parks & Recreation Commission will consider an application to operate Nevada Motocross Park in 2010 and 2011 on the same 15-20 acres of county-owned property off Pinenut Road, located between the animal shelter and the transfer station.

The current application proposes new seasons for the spring and fall from April 1 to Nov. 29 for each of the two years. The applicant is proposing 36 use-days per year on no more than 12 weekends.

"The proposed application attempts to spread out the use over a longer period of time, capturing the more desirable spring and fall seasons," Douglas County Community Services Director Scott Morgan wrote in his staff report.

Morgan is recommending approval of the application contingent on more than 30 conditions, ranging from required dust mitigation to physical barriers such as berms or straw bales for noise control.

Morgan cited recreational opportunity, past compliance with conditions, and the motocross park's economic benefit as reasons for approval. However, he said the county is still searching for a permanent site, which must include access to water, seclusion from residential properties, access to a major thoroughfare, a nearby source of power and suitable soil conditions.

"Staff has currently identified two potential sites and is currently evaluating those sites for these key elements and costs prior to bringing them forward for public review," Morgan said. "As a viable third option, staff has encouraged the visitors authority, along with the track operator, to explore opportunities on private land, encouraging a private partnership, which would completely remove Douglas County from its current role."

Last summer, 19 race events on the same county property sparked public controversy.

Residents in surrounding neighborhoods complained of noise and dust and traffic generated by the motocross park and questioned promoters' free use of county water. Other critics expressed concerns about the park's impact on animals in the adjacent shelter.

Proponents of the park argued it provided residents, especially youth, with a place to safely ride while at the same time attracting visitors to the county.

In December, the Carson Valley Visitors Authority, the original applicant, reported that last summer's events pumped approximately $400,000 into the local economy, below the $700,000 amount originally predicted. The difference was attributed to a lousy economy and late approval of the project.

Authority Director Bill Chernock acknowledged the contentious nature of the issue, but said the park will benefit the county in the long run.

"From visitors authority's point of view, this project remains an opportunity to convert new visitor business to Carson Valley at a time when even hanging on to existing business is difficult," he said.

Regarding the water, Chernock said the park used 600,000 gallons last summer, the equivalent of four homes for a year.

"It's a fraction of what the county uses to maintain the turf at Lampe and other parks," he said.

New conditions on the application require motocross park operators to pay $3 per thousand gallons of water, which is pumped from a well in south Gardnerville. That cost is in addition to the regular fee of $1,800 per year.

"Half the county rides dirt bikes," Chernock said. "We believe in this project."

But critics remain strong in opposition.

"Motocross might have a place in Douglas County... a parcel of land situated in the well-worn trails in the remote hills and mountains far from the sight and earshot of any residential area," Minden resident Johnathan Brown wrote in a Jan. 20 letter to editor. "I have to ask how financially lucrative the present 'temporary' motocross location is for the homeowners and other residents (voters) of Douglas County? In my humble opinion, answers are very obvious: 'The hell with the voters of Douglas County.'"

The motocross park was originally approved by county commissioners in May 2009. The 19 events held there over the summer included practice race days and both pro and local races, with the last event on Sept. 27, 2009.

In October, the parks commission voted 4-0, with commissioners Jacquie Manoukian, Elaine Flynn and David Craig absent, to deem the temporary park successful and the criteria of the permit met.

The parks commission will consider the new application 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Douglas County Senior Center, 2300 Meadow Lane, Gardnerville. The application goes before county commissioners on Feb. 4.