Chino Valley commission backs Olsen Events permit with limits on night events, noise and motorsports

On March 4, 2025, the Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation that the Town Council approve Conditional Use Permit CUP2024-05 for Olsen Events, the arena and event operations located at 34344 South State Route 89. The permit would formally recognize an arena established in 2017 and allow additional activities including community gatherings, weddings, dog-adoption and competition events, and limited dirt-bike “barrel races,” subject to conditions on event counts, hours, noise, lighting and access.

Town staff presented the application. Will Dingey, assistant director of Development Services, told commissioners the property is roughly 12 acres split between Commercial Light zoning and Agricultural Residential-5 (AR-5). He reviewed the site history: Olsen’s began operations without a CUP in 2017; Town Council approved a separate electronic sign CUP in 2018; lighting permits were processed in 2023; staff received the first complaint in summer 2023; and Olsen approached the town in 2024 seeking expansion that prompted staff to require a conditional use permit.

Staff described the CUP as having two parts: (1) establish the arena as a conforming use on the parcel and (2) expand the list of allowed public events. The application included a proposed site plan with two access points off West Road 1 South, a main arena with six light poles, covered seating, ADA restrooms, parking and an overflow arena. ADOT prohibits general public access from the State Route 89 driveway; the eastern easement will be reserved for emergency access during events. Olsen’s uses dust mitigation with an on-site water truck, and staff said they verified the applicant’s lighting and sound mitigation measures during multiple site visits.

Staff recommended conditions limiting total events to 90 per calendar year (January 1 reset), with no more than 40 of those as night events; no more than four events per week and no more than three nighttime events per week. The permit language proposed that “intermittent” high-noise activities such as mounted shooting exhibitions and dirt-bike barrel races be restricted to daylight hours. The draft conditions also limited arena noise to comply with Town Code section 13-101 and specifically stated a maximum of 60 decibels at the southern property line for routine activity; amplified systems remain subject to the town noise rule that amplified sound not be audible beyond 50 feet unless the chief of police grants an exemption.

On lighting, staff said the applicant had already adjusted the tilt of all six arena fixtures by roughly 15 degrees to concentrate lighting downward and reduce glare; staff’s site visit on Feb. 10, 2025, found no light trespass on the impacted neighbor’s property line. Other proposed conditions included turning off arena lights within one hour of event conclusion (security lighting excepted), prohibiting overflow parking on public roads, and requiring adequate off-street parking.

Neighbors and community representatives divided during public comment. Kim Hennessy, an adjacent homeowner who identified herself as opposed, said event noise and glare were disrupting her enjoyment of her property and urged stricter limits: a one-year review, reducing annual events to 30 (no more than 13 at night), lights off by 9 p.m., stronger sound barriers, shielded fixtures, and an outright ban on dirt-bike or motorsport events. Hennessy said she had filed complaints and argued the permit as proposed would effectively allow recurring deviations from the town noise ordinance.

A larger group of residents and nonprofit representatives spoke in support. Speakers included Jim Holt of the Equine Emergency Evacuation Group; Taylor Shoemake and Melinda Davis with Yavapai Humane Trappers; Pam Berry of Horses With Heart Therapeutic Riding; Helen Fuller of the Tri City Speedsters; and others. Supporters described Olsen Events as a long‑standing local venue that draws families and out‑of‑town visitors, provides space for youth activities and nonprofit adoption events (supporters said two recent Olsen-hosted adoption events produced multiple adoptions, including seven at one event), and returns a substantial portion of entry fees to competitors. Applicant Mike Olsen said the venue held a temporary use permit for a dirt‑bike barrel race last summer that staff approved and described it as a family-oriented event with one bike on the course at a time.

Commissioners questioned staff and the applicant about the noise ordinance and the process for any exemption. Dingey told the commission that enforcement of the noise rule is handled by the police department and that the ordinance includes an exemption the chief of police can grant for approved amplified systems; staff had discussed the exemption with Chief Josh McIntyre, who gave verbal support but would need to act through the separate police process. Commissioners also reviewed comparative cases: Bridal 3 Farm & Events holds a 2002 CUP (Ordinance 487) with hours-of-operation conditions (8 a.m. to midnight), and staff noted other town recreational lighting also operates late.

During deliberations the commission agreed to add an explicit condition that events generally conclude by 11:00 p.m.; the applicant indicated he would accept that limitation. The commission then voted to approve the recommendation to the Town Council subject to the staff report and attachment A (the conditions), including the added 11:00 p.m. close time. A roll call showed unanimous support; the commission’s vote was recorded in open session and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Council for final action.

The permit includes several non-policy limits intended as mitigations: restricted use of the eastern easement (emergency access only), adherence to ADOT direction prohibiting SR‑89 driveway access by event patrons, required dust mitigation, a cap on annual and weekly events, and restrictions intended to reduce off-site sound and light impacts. The commission’s action does not itself change town code; it is a recommendation to the council, and amplified-sound permissions beyond the 50-foot audible rule would require the police chief’s separate approval.

The staff report and public record from the March 4 hearing document the technical data staff used (photometric lighting study, decibel measurements taken Feb. 18, 2025 showing a reduction at the southern property line from about 70 dB to 50 dB after PA upgrades) and the neighborhood notification that preceded the hearing (public notice to owners within 1,000 feet; 12 attendees at the neighborhood meeting representing seven properties). The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation will appear on an upcoming Town Council agenda for final review and potential adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Conditional Use Permit CUP2024-05 (Olsen Events, 34344 S. State Route 89): Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval (unanimous roll call). Conditions include annual event cap of 90 (40 night events max), no more than four events per week (no more than three nighttime events per week), events generally end by 11:00 p.m., compliance with Town Code section 13-101 for routine noise (60 dB at the southern property line), limitation of intermittent loud activities to daytime unless otherwise restricted, lighting mitigation and no public vehicular access from SR-89 per ADOT. The recommendation forwards to Town Council for final action.