P&Z nixes motocross proposal

May 17, 2013

The Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission faced a packed house Thursday evening for a public hearing on a proposed motocross track on Smith Lake Road, about equally divided pro and con, but in the end the application was denied.

So packed, people filled not only the courtroom pews or stood, but filled the jury box as well.

"It was a brilliant idea," said county zoning administrator Dan Studer, "but in the wrong place."

Proposed by John Becker, Bonners Ferry, the 9B Motoplex, located on a little over 21-acres just north of the Templeman Lake Road intersection, would have become the first motocross racing complex in North Idaho north of Interstate 90, offering up to 12 weekend racing events a year between May and October.

It would have offered parking, camping, concessions and more.

Those in favor cited the popularity of motocross in Boundary County, with entire families travelling for miles to compete or watch. Having a place for such an event here at home, they maintained, would be an economic boon as well as an addition to recreational opportunities in the community.

Opponents, however, said the noise and traffic would be unbearable.

"People who go to Smith Lake for the weekend and those who live there enjoy the peace and quiet," Studer said. "They go to relax."

While noise played a big role in the commission's decision, it was safety concerns on Smith Lake Road that sealed the decision to deny the application.

"There are several places on the road that narrow to a single lane, and there's no way to upgrade the road to accommodate the anticipated traffic," Studer said. "The events were expected to draw hundreds of people each weekend, most towing trailers or in RVs. There would be no way to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency, and having all those vehicles leaving at once on a Sunday afternoon, most turning left on Highway 95, would pose unacceptable risk."