Bicycle Racing Track Ordered To Shut Down

Sat., July 13, 1996

By Brian Coddington brianc@spokesman.com

An Otis Orchards couple has a week to shut down a dirt bicycle track in their back yard.

Spokane County planners rejected Ronald and Kathy Bliesner’s attempt to appeal a decision banning bicycle racing behind their home at 4521 N. Garry because it was filed two days after the deadline expired, said John Pederson, a senior planner.

The Bliesners now have until July 20 to take down the colorful flags that surround the track, remove a concession stand and stop racing, said Allan deLaubenfels, county zoning inspector. An unannounced inspection will be conducted to make sure that happens.

The 1,035-foot track has attracted dozens of riders and a number of zoning complaints since it opened in April.

Critics contend it brings cars carrying bike racers speeding by their houses. Noise from the cheering race fans and announcements from the public address system echo down the block, neighbors claim.

Pederson ruled last month that county zoning code did not allow the BMX track in the neighborhood, which is zoned for semi-rural residential use.

Danny Newlon, the BMX track director, delivered a letter of appeal to the county’s director of building and planning on Friday. The appeal period ended two days earlier.

The possibility of an extension was discussed, but a promise was not made, deLaubenfels said.

Pederson said Thursday that an extension could not be granted and that the appeal was not accepted.

“The appeal was not filed in a timely manner,” Pederson said.

A letter has since been sent to the Bliesners informing them of the ruling and notifying them that they must stop racing, deLaubenfels said.

“The ball’s back in their court,” Pederson said.

Efforts to reach the Bliesners for comment were unsuccessful.

If the Bliesners want to continue holding races behind their house, they now must pursue other options, including filing for a zoning change. The property would have to be zoned for commercial use before bicycle racing would be allowed, deLaubenfels said.

“The neighborhood is going to be really up in arms if that happens,” he said, adding that the chances of the request being granted were slim.

Should racing continue without such a change, the case will forwarded to the county prosecuting attorney’s office for possible charges of violating the zoning code.

, DataTimes

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