Big Bear Lake planning commission gives green light to motocross application at Bear Mountain

On Feb. 19 the Big Bear Lake Planning Commission directed staff to accept an application from promoter Aaron Cook to begin the permitting process for a proposed three-day motocross Grand Prix at Bear Mountain.

The proposal, presented by Cook, calls for a Friday practice day followed by races on Saturday and Sunday, an initial rider field of roughly 700 entrants and estimated daily attendance of 1,500 to 2,000 people. Cook said organizers will confine operations to previously disturbed areas on private land controlled by Snow Summit LLC, provide shuttles from the lower parking lot, limit upper-lot parking to vehicles carrying motorcycles, and meet insurance and sound requirements set by the resort.

Cook said, "I'm more than confident I can achieve all of their requirements, including the insurance." He told the commission the event would start smaller in year one and that his group has experience running about 23 events annually.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public said the race could bring visitors, hotel stays and business for Big Bear Lake, but they also stressed the need for detailed outreach, sound mitigation and environmental review because residential properties sit near the proposed course.

Cook described mitigation measures he expects to include mandatory mufflers and on-site sound testing to remove bikes that exceed limits, use of previously disturbed trails rather than creating new roads, and coordination with Snow Summit LLC on parking, shuttles, medical coverage and security. He said his promoter team has worked through a multi-year conditional-use process in Riverside County and expects a similar, thorough application process here.

Commissioners emphasized the application must include public notice and environmental analysis. A staff member told the commission that the formal application will require mailed notices, public hearings and possibly acoustical or environmental studies. One commissioner said a project in Riverside took four years and significant resources to reach final approval; staff warned applicants that such work can be costly.

Public comment at the Feb. 19 discussion was largely supportive. Speakers who said they had promoted or attended similar resort events noted other mountain communities have hosted long-running motocross races and urged careful planning to reduce impacts. A resident who represented village business interests said a mountain-top event would avoid disruptions in the village core.

Commission discussion and formal direction: Commissioners asked for a thorough application with specific plans for the final track layout, noise mitigation measures (including temporary acoustical barriers where warranted), vendor and parking plans, and documentation that the promoter will recruit local vendors and meet the resort's insurance and site‑restoration conditions. Staff said the applicant should expect robust public outreach, a public hearing before the commission and possible environmental review.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to allow the promoter to file a major special-event application for the proposed motocross Grand Prix at Bear Mountain: approved by voice vote (chair asked "All in favor?" and commissioners responded "Aye"). The commission directed staff to accept the application and schedule the required public hearing and notices. - Consent calendar approval (earlier in the meeting): approved by roll call. Commissioner Schacht recused herself from item 3.2 (the polar plunge/Visit Big Bear marketing-related item) and was recorded as abstaining from that item; other roll-call votes on the consent calendar were recorded as "Aye" by Commissioners Beveridge, Best, Vice Chair LeGrand and Chair Hollovic.

What happens next: The commission did not take final action on the event at the Feb. 19 meeting. The decision to allow filing permits the formal application to proceed; staff and the applicant will undertake mailed notices and public hearings, and the commission will consider the completed application (and any required environmental studies) at a future public hearing.

Additional context: Cook said the proposed date is in August and that total weekend races would likely number about 30 to 35 heats spread across Saturday and Sunday. He said the promoter intends to limit first‑year rider counts and build the event gradually. Cook also said he has an event license agreement with Snow Summit LLC and that all operations would occur on private resort land rather than on federal forest lands.

The commission and staff repeatedly told the applicant that they expect detailed outreach to residents near the proposed course, a final track layout that minimizes louder track segments near homes, and documentation that vendors and service providers will comply with city special-event rules.