Track Needs More Work, Commission Decides Noise-Cutting Berm Required Before Races May Be Held

The owner of a controversial State Line speedway can’t hold practices until completing more work at his unfinished motorcycle track.

That was the decision Friday from Kootenai County commissioners.

They rescinded an earlier decision allowing Post Falls Councilman Joe Doellefeld to hold weekly training and noise-testing sessions at the dirt track. Doellefeld now must complete a noise-reducing berm before running any practices or tests there.

“We let him know in no uncertain terms that he’s got a lot to do,” Commissioner Dick Panabaker said. “He will not race this summer unless it gets done.”

In 1993, Doellefeld built the racetrack without proper permits. In 1994, commissioners said Doellefeld could use the track if he met 17 conditions. About half have been met.

About 30 neighbors of the controversial development protested the earlier decision, which was reached April 18 in a private meeting between Doellefeld and commissioners.

They said commissioners had offered the councilman preferential treatment because he was an elected official.

Commissioners denied the charge, but decided to rehear the issue after The Spokesman-Review asked County Prosecutor Bill Douglas to investigate potential open meetings law violations.

Residents complained Friday that a trade magazine advertisement for a May race there showed Doellefeld had not planned on completing work.

Doellefeld told commissioners he was unaware the race had been scheduled. A motorcycle club had scheduled it without asking, he said.

Regardless, commissioners Friday agreed Doellefeld will have return to commissioners in about a month to seek permission to conduct noise tests.