1
Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 8:47 PM
CHARLTON – After nearly eight months of public hearings and review, the Planning Board Wednesday approved the SunSet City plan to develop a motocross park on about 150 acres off Brookfield Road.
SunSet City principals/property owners Russell G. Jennings, Brant Jennings and Brent Sellew plan to develop a 90-space campground and motocross track with parking lots on a 23-acre plot located between Brookfield Road and Route 49.
“I am happy we are through this part of the process,” Russell Jennings said after hearing the vote. “It’s been a long road.”
The motocross portion of the plan has met opposition from a group of about 250 Charlton and Sturbridge residents called RANT, Residents Against Noise and Traffic.
The group has protested its possible impact on property values, neighborhood traffic and noise.
Following the vote, RANT spokesperson Ronald Charette said the fight continues.
“We have other areas to pursue and we are going to pursue them,” he said.
Although RANT did not prevail in its campaign to sway the Planning Board vote, many concerns raised by the residents were seen in the 26 conditions the board attached to its approval.
Planning Director Alan I. Gordon said some of the conditions are customary while others relate specifically to motorcycle racing.
SunSet City must submit plans for installing a motorcycle noise test area near the park entrance and additional noise abatement structures near the track.
The plans will be reviewed by the town’s peer engineer and must gain the board’s approval before issuance of a building permit.
Before receiving a certificate to operate, SunSet City must conduct a mock motorcycle race for sound level testing to ensure the noise does not exceed limits set by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The race is to be attended by representatives of the Planning Board, Board of Health, DEP and the state environmental police.
The motocross park must adhere to seasonal operations between April 1 and October 31.
Racing events are to be held only on weekends between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., while the practice track may be operated on weekdays during the same hours.
Conditions for traffic mitigation include temporary signs the day of motorcycle events and the addition of pavement markings at the intersection of Route 49 and Putnam Road.
Mr. Charette said the work to eliminate motocross from the SunSet City plan will continue in court.
“We’re still waiting for the judge to decide whether it’s an approved use in an agricultural area,” he said. “We’re expecting a decision any day now.”
Mr. Charette petitioned the ZBA to overturn a ruling by the zoning enforcement officer that allowed motocross on the land.
A vote of the ZBA in March rejected the petition and upheld the ruling.
Mr. Charette filed a lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court against the town and SunSet City asking the court to, in part, nullify the ZBA vote and remand the matter back to the board to revote.
A Superior Court judge heard both sides last week.
Planning Board site plan approval is one of many needed for the project to proceed.
The SunSet City plan goes before the Conservation Commission on Aug. 19.
Reply With Quote
99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice
Originally Posted by Imbeek
i think they said the trials stuff would be one of the first courses you see driving in.
