Motocross park sought in north Carson City

A proposal to create a new motocross facility in Carson City has some residents living near the site concerned.

The race track, tentatively named Nevada Motocross Park, would be 20 acres on the north side of the city and could accommodate up to 500 spectators watching motorcycles or ATVs run over a rough course. Planning Commissioners will consider this request for a special-use permit during their meeting Wednesday.

"We are totally not in favor of this type of facility going in next to our neighborhood," said Ron Dulco, vice president of the nearby Shenandoah Heights Homeowners Association.

City officials are asking the proprietor, Steve Brown, of Nevada Motocross Park LLC, to adhere to more than 40 conditions before proceeding with the project, such as limiting hours of racing, controlling noise and dust, and holding a limited number of events each year.

Because the site is nearly a half-mile away from local water and sewer hookups, Brown proposes to truck in water to control dust and use portable toilets to provide basic services to people competing in races and watching the events, said Walt Sullivan, the city's planning director.

Another problem is that the site would only provide one road for people using it to get in and out, said Carrol Larsen, president of the homeowners association.

Larsen said the association printed fliers urging people to oppose the idea and distributed them around the 98-home Shenandoah subdivision and to other nearby residences.

There used to be a dirt racetrack on the south end of the city, next to Champion Motor Speedway. Both closed down a couple of years ago.

"It would be great for tourism," said Joy Evans, special events coordinator for the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the plan. She also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician at local races. "It's a family-oriented event."

And a local motocross racer said Carson City would benefit from having a well-run place to offer these events again.

"It's a magnificent idea," said Matt Buyten, 27, who took up the sport in 1991 and eventually became a professional competitor. "We know we have to keep the dust down, the noise down and keep it convenient for the people who have to live there.

"But they need to respect that we're doing something meaningful with their lives," he said.

Brown, with DMX5, tried to build a motocross track in Fernley and also encountered opposition from residents there.

This plan, however, ultimately fell through when the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District rescinded its lease with Brown.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Planning Commission meeting

When: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday; estimated time for motocross proposal to be heard, 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Also on the Agenda:

• A request to erect an 85-foot communications tower in the 5800 block of Sheep Drive for Capital Cab Co. Current height allowance is 45 feet.

• Consider a planned-unit development application for Nye Circle, formerly known as Newport Village. It has been reduced from 43 to 34 lots and will offer manufactured homes.

• Decide whether to approve a request for a child care provider to take 25 children. The limit for Linda's Nursery at 2201 Birch St. is currently 12 children.