11/12/1974 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilman Murray thought clarification of the motion made in committee was necessary so that it would be understood the Planning Commission'was expected to schedule public hear- ing on the historic preservation ordinance. The Chair ruled that the action would be _ so amended. There were no objections. .. ~ ,>.-_._...~" ," (August 1;' E .ri16'forspor't--Park -a't' Airpor"t-:;'CoI;le's' oi' exc~rpt "fro[;'Airport Commission minutes !1974) were previously distributed to Council members. The Commission recommended Council 'Iconsideration of use-of a portion of city-owned property lying east of the Airport, not !us~d at the present time for airport purposes, for a proposed facility for recreational land training activities of motorcycle riders in the community. 'Ed Smith, director of parks and recreation, showed on a map the location chosen as a !temporary site for the activity. He said his department had been working with Lane County , I ;parks department trying to find a place for motorcyclists at the urging of some riders iwho had organized and incorporated themselves as a group - Eguene Cycle Activities Organiza , , Ition. They had requested the donation of a site by some public body in order to prove jto tpe community the need and that they could organize, construct, and supervise such a :facility. Design of the proposed facility was shown. Mr. Smith said the parks department twas interested in co-operating on what appeared to be a worthwhile p~oject for a group ;heretofore more or less ignored so far as recreational facilities were concerned. Parks idepartment was especially interested in view of the citizen~ themselves wanting to promote and build the facility. ECAO hoped to have instructional programs at ~ faciJity,that ~,wQy.Jd b~open only during cei"tain hours, supervision to ensure use of proper riding equip- ment, noise control, etc. He asked Council authority for filing an application with the e Lane County Planning Commission for a temporary permit to allow use of the designated :property in the manner requested. Once the permit was issued, Mr. Smith said, there :would be annual review of the use and then the Airport Commission and parks department could establish an agreement with the ECAO to ensure control of the facility and that -< ,the desired requirements would be met. !Councilman Williams wondered about the city's liability if underage children were per- l !mitted to use the facility. Mr. Smith said there were many children who were not licensed: , I ito ride on public roads and this would provide a place for them. He said the liability i ifactor was being investigated; one requirement of ECAO would be that their organization j !also provide liability insurance. Tn further answer to Councilman Williams, Mr. Smith Idescribed the types of activities planned for the area --motorcross type races, free I iriding, high school competition, trail bike riding etc. Competitive activities would be held primarily on weekends, he said. [ I Councilwoman Beal asked about lJoise~ control. She said even though the proposed location I was not in an area as thickly populated as others, people who did live there might object I I to the noise. Mr. Smith felt the airport location was such that the motorcycle noise [ would be less of a problem considering planes coming and going. He fel t i.t was far enough from residential areas so as not to interfere. He said proper mufflers, spark arrestors, i would be required and riders not using the proper noise control equipment would ,etc. , - not be permitted to use the facility. He added that many of the cycles which would be 'used on this facility were not the kind that would be licensed for roadways, and that the group itself was very interested in strong controls and policing of the facility. Councilman Murray inquired about hours of operation. That hadn't been decided yet, Mr. Smith replied, although activity would primarily occur on weekends. During summer [the operating hours would probably be no later than 9:00 p.m., perhaps 10:00 p.m. on 'Saturdays. Councilwoman Campbell thought the idea appealing. She hoped it would be pursued, es- ipecially since motorcyclists seemed to have been "left out" of a lot of the planning for the community. J iCouncilwoman Beal was still concerned about the noise factor. She didn't want the Council 'to be faced with the same situation created by the auto racing facility on West 11th. . , She wondered if a poll had been taken of people living in that area. Mr. Smith didn't ;think there would be a problem ,similar to that on West' 11th because location of this :facility was in an area already zoned for that activity and, except for one house, at : least a mile and half distant from residences. He said no poll had been taken but there would be ample opportunity for those people to be heard when the application for the requested use was subject of hearings before the County Planning Commission. Manager - added that a significant factor in comparison to the West 11th problem was that the city owned this property and would have authority to terminate the activity should it become a nuisance because of the noise created or otherwise. Corom I Mr. Wood moved seconded by Mr. Hershner to authorize filing for a use 11/6/74 i permit from the Lane County Planning Commission as requested. See action l , below \In making the motion Mr. Wood said he thought the facility was a good idea and would help to build professionalism and responsibility in the operation of motorcycles. J 385 11/12/74 - 10