Genola planning commission tables decision on motocross tracks after neighbors cite dust, enforcement concerns

The Genola Planning Commission on June 4 delayed action on a proposed amendment to the townLand Use Appendix that would recognize motocross/BMX/dirt tracks as an allowable use, after neighbors raised dust and enforcement concerns.

At a public hearing, Rachel Ercanbrack said the family travels to facilities nationwide and that her father-in-law has offered a private track so her son can train. "They would be good neighbors and keep it watered to keep the dust down," she told the commission. Property owner Randall Ercanbrack also spoke in support, saying he wants to give his grandson a place to practice.

Neighbor Sheryl Fowers opposed the proposed site, saying nearby aggregate operations already produce heavy dust around her packing shed and that she "doesnt feel that she can survive having another dust added to it." Questions about enforceability of conditions and how future owners would comply were raised by commissioners.

City Attorney Josh Nielsen told commissioners that standard planning references and a commonly used American planning dictionary typically exclude motorized sports from the plain-language definition of "athletic field," and outlined three paths: classify motorized sports as athletic fields, say they are not athletic fields, or add the use explicitly to the Land Use Appendix with zone-specific or conditional-use limits. He also said changes should be made for the whole town rather than for a single property.

Commissioners discussed whether to allow small, private training tracks with restrictions on size, hours and watering requirements to limit dust and whether time limits or noise restrictions could be enforceable. Commissioner Norm Beagley said he could imagine conditions to promote coexistence; Commissioner Nate Quist said he feared a slippery slope if restrictions proved hard to enforce.

After public comment and discussion, the commission closed the hearing and voted to table the item to the next meeting and asked staff to collect proposed written conditions from residents and stakeholders for the commission to review, including suggested enforcement mechanisms and zone limitations.

What happens next: The commission asked for written proposals on reasonable conditions and enforcement for motocross tracks to be provided before the next meeting, when the item will return for further review.