EVERETT – A motocross track proposed in Maltby needs a better home elsewhere, Snohomish County officials say, and a search is under way.
Where it might land isn’t clear.
“It’s a huge sport and growing rapidly and we’ve got to find somewhere to site a track,” County Councilman John Koster said.
They’re looking for a place where the racket of the rin-din-din won’t offend.
“The council and executive are quite interested in finding another location outside Maltby,” Planning and Development Services director Craig Ladiser said.
“We’re looking for a site away from people and controversy.”
County officials are drafting special rules to focus where racetracks might be allowed around the county, and for MXGP Racing. The company proposed a track in Maltby.
The county forced the closure of the former track last year south of Monroe because it was built on farmland without permits.
Gary Strode, owner of MXGP Racing, isn’t holding his breath for a quick resolution and a new site from the county. He needs up to 60 acres of land for a racetrack, and said he spent $200,000 studying the Maltby site.
“If you think I’m skeptical, it’s because I am,” he said. He believes it will be years before a track is built.
“I think it’s got a long ways to go.”
Previous MXGP races have attracted up to 600 riders and 5,000 spectators. Strode said about 35,000 people had used the track every year.
The 58-acre Maltby property had three strikes against it: Vehement neighborhood opposition; a new county mineral land restriction; and hazardous metal deposits on the site.
Current rules allow racetracks in several areas, including rural residential neighborhoods, but with restrictions that raised eyebrows on the County Council.
Rules say a racetrack “shall be operated in such a manner so as not to cause offense by reason of noise or vibration beyond the boundaries of the subject property.”
It seems like an impossible standard, officials said.
County planners are reviewing other possible locations, including forest lands.
“The council feels there has got to be some suitable sites within the county,” County Councilman Dave Somers said.
Draft racetrack rules are anticipated by year’s end.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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