With two members absent, Lyon County Commissioners on Thursday postponed making a decision on a request to approve additional motocross events at a controversial new track facility adjacent to the Lyon County Fairgrounds.

Commissioners Phyllis Hunewill and Don Tibbals were unavailable to attend the January 7, 2010 meeting, and with both representing the areas closest to the track, staff and fellow commissioners though it best they be present for a decision.  Hunewill is a Smith Valley resident and her district includes a good portion of the Mason Valley, including the fairground property.  A resident of Weed Heights,  Tibbals’ district includes Yerington proper.

Fair Board members Steve Berrington and Lisa Tibbals presented the request to hold up 10 annual events at the recently constructed track, up from the original request for four events in 2009.   They both emphasized the positive economic impact the events would have on the area if they were allowed to hold events throughout the year.  They said approval was needed prior to the Fair Board investing more time and money in additional improvements to the track facility.

The facility is comprised of approximately 16 acres located on 40 acres off of Cottonwood Lane, a rural residential neighborhood.  A number of residents from the Cottonwood and Tucker Lane area appeared at the meeting to voice disapproval of the track location.  A petition containing over 200 signatures protesting the track has been submitted to the County.  

Lisa Tibbals, in response to County Engineer Dick Faber’s claim it costs the County between $700 and $800 dollars in employee overtime to monitor activities at each individual event, said all costs should be the responsibility of the motocross event contractor, including dust control....which entails using City provided water.  Faber said an employee is needed on site because the events are held on County property.

Tibbals said the contract would call for a noise curfew at 10:00PM, no night racing, no fireworks and dust control.  Camping would be available.  The Fair Board receives $100 per event from the promoters, and incurs about $700 in expenses.

“The last two events I have stayed there full time.  For dust control we have two water trucks running constantly, nonstop.  We’ve had no problems,” Tibbals, a resident of Tucker Lane, told the Board.  “You hear noise, but no different than hearing the tractors, the balers in the mornings.  I get more dust from the wind blowing than I do from the motocross track.”

She said few residents have shown up at recent Fair Board meetings to utter complaints in regards to the events.

Berrington, a resident of Cottonwood Lane, said they would like to increase from the originally approved 4 events to 10 events so races can be held throughout the year and, potentially, be included in the motocross racing circuit.  He emphasized the economic benefit additional activity would have on the community.

Commissioner Larry McPherson, in reference to the letters he has received in regards to the noise and dust created at the facility, noted “Maybe those letters are just from people who don’t like that kind of activity.”

Commissioner Chuck Roberts also noted the many letters he has received, telling Tibbals, “They don’t convey the same message as you are.”

He also said perhaps the Fair Board should be asking for reimbursement for expenses from the promoter, suggesting “That would cut the number of races down.”

The several residents of Cottonwood Lane who testified all pretty much had the same issues of concern:

• Negative impact on the rural lifestyle of the neighborhood
• The facility appears to encompass much more than the state 16 acres
• Security fencing is inadequate
• Questioned claimed monetary benefit to the community
• Dust and odors from the 2-cycle engine fumes
• Noise and dust from the preparation for the races  - which includes 3 to 4 additional days from the race days themselves
• No buffer zone between the track and the private properties
• Loss of property value
• Lack of inclusion in the process

Residents said they have no problem with relatively noisy events held within the fairgrounds arena, such as tractor pulls, music shows, et al....and from the nearby Yerington airport, noting they knew of these issues prior to moving into the neighborhood.

Commissioners suggested the promoter attend the next public hearing, directed staff to bring additional information forward, the Fair Board suggest some possible options and, at least one commission member said he wanted to tour the site prior to making a decision.