Racetrack plans irk some Melvern Square residents

By Heather Killen

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Tempers flared as neighbours debated about how they wanted to spend their Sunday afternoons.

Approximately 100 people gathered at the Melvern Square Community Centre on April 24 to hear plans to build a racetrack about 1.5 km north of the Spa Springs Rd., on the Dodge Rd.

Greg Banks and Peggy Gould purchased land last year that is located in a section of the county that is not subject to municipal zoning restrictions.

Banks, who owns an auto repair and salvage business on the Vault Rd., said he wants to build an oval shaped dirt track and hold car races on Sunday afternoons.

Marilyn Wilkins, municipal councillor and chair of the community association, moderated the meeting. RCMP Corporal David Fraser informally attended to answer possible questions raised about policing concerns.

Over the past several weeks, Banks has been clearing trees on the lot and has a preliminary design for the track.

While no specific events have been planned and many details have yet to be worked out, Banks told the group he wanted to present his ideas and address any concerns or questions the neighbours raise.

Banks told the group he has contacted the Municipality of Annapolis and the Department of Environment and has followed all the necessary regulations.

The events would be open to about 500 to 600 spectators and would offer a convenient venue for local stockcar enthusiasts who now travel to tracks in Yarmouth, Queens County, and Shubenacadie.

“We’re spending our own money, and we’re following all the rules,” he said. “It’s basically simple, I’m trying to bring something to the community. It’ll be a family event that is run professionally.”

Banks added that in order for the racetrack to be successful, it would need the support of the community.

Once the floor was open for questions, several people raised concerns about noise levels, road access and environmental hazards that could be posed by a racetrack.

Banks told the group that he thought the tree lines would help muffle sound, and because the racetrack will be in a gully, the design will offer a natural sound barrier.

However several people continued to voice concerns about noise levels, one suggesting that the gully and tree lines might act as a natural amphitheatre and allow the sound to carry well into the surrounding area.

Several people, including real estate agent Darrel Foster, said that the racetrack would negatively influence the value of their properties.

Banks and Gould answered that property values are relative and that some people would be happy to live near a racetrack.

They also pointed out that the nearby airstrip at Greenwood generates noise, but doesn’t seem to reduce the number of people choosing to live in that area.

Dana Clark, a resident of Melvern Square, said that she knew about the airstrip when she came to the area, but she has only recently heard about Banks’ plans to build a racetrack. She wondered why there had been no public input into the planning process.

Marilyn Wilkins told the group that because there is no zoning in that area, the usual public meetings prior to approving zoning was not required of Banks.

And while there are bylaws in place to protect against activities that ‘unreasonably disturb the peace and tranquility of a neighbourhood,’ Banks’ plan to introduce racing on Sunday afternoons probably isn’t in violation of that bylaw.

Other people raised concerns about drugs, and alcohol on the premises. Banks and Gould answered that they will have staff to enforce a zero-tolerance for drugs and alcohol.

Two local stockcar drivers, Mike Banks and Todd Roberts spoke up that most racetracks in Nova Scotia don’t allow drugs and alcohol and that most drivers are more interested in racing than drinking.

RCMP Corporal David Fraser told the group that from a policing point of view, it’s reasonable to assume that when people move into previously vacant areas, there is a greater likelihood of calls.

However, the RCMP has no plans to expand the number of officers in the Middleton office and that there aren’t currently enough officers to assign anyone to police the track.

Calls for assistance will continue to be answered on a priority basis.

Several people questioned Banks and Gould whether the financial benefits of building a track will be worth the negative impact it will have on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Banks answered that he believes many people in the community are in support of the idea, and that he has no plans to ‘roll over and die because a few people don’t like it.’

Dana Clark questioned whether the idea of building a racetrack is appropriate for the community. She also questioned whether it’s environmentally appropriate to promote a recreational activity that contributes to global warming.

She said that when she talked to officials at the Department of Environment, she was told that Banks had not submitted a formal plan to the Department.

As a result, there was no reason for an inspector to view the site. And there has been no plan for the Department to approve, or reject.

She pointed out that many people came to the area because it’s a quiet and natural environment. And that she prefers to quietly spend Sunday afternoons enjoying the peace and tranquility of her property.

She suggested that a sound impact study could be done. If the study suggests that the community will be impacted by sound, she could survey people within the affected area.

She asked Banks if the majority of people surveyed within the affected area say they are not in favour of the racetrack, would he reconsider his plan to build it.

Banks told her he believed most people support the racetrack and that he wouldn’t be influenced by her survey results.

Marilyn Wilkins said in a later interview that possibly the largest stumbling block to Banks’ plan will be ensuring public access.

The Dodge Rd. is the most direct route to the site and the road condition is not up to the required standards to meet the additional traffic demands.

There is no public money to repair that section of road, so it would be up to Banks to personally finance the cost of bringing the road up to standard.

It will cost approximately $100,000 per kilometer to pave the section.

She added that the meeting underscored the emerging importance of strategic planning in Annapolis County.

Developing a strategic plan is a community driven initiative, and that it is up to residents to decide whether guidelines should be in place to determine the type of development that is encouraged in the community.

“Planned areas ensure orderly development, protects residential areas and reduces conflicts,” she said. “But planning is a double edged sword that is good for organized development, but does put guidelines on land-use.”