Bike-Racing Track Spawns Complaints To County

A bicycle track recently built in a northeast Spokane Valley neighborhood has attracted dozens of riders and a number of zoning complaints.

Owners and operators of the BMX track contend it provides youths with an inexpensive, fun activity.

True, say neighbors, but the track also brings heavy traffic, lots of noise and possibly lower property values to a quiet Otis Orchards neighborhood. They want it closed and moved.

The track has been a hotly contested issue since construction began last month behind Ronald and Kathy Bliesner’s home at 4521 N. Garry. The county’s zoning department has been flooded with calls from angry neighbors since.

“It seems like not a day goes by without a complaint,” said Allen deLaubenfels, zoning code inspector.

The 1,035-foot track brings dozens of cars carrying racers speeding by their houses, residents complain. Noise from cheering race fans and announcements from the public address system echo down the block, they claim.

Allowing the track to stay also would set a precedent for non-residential development, something neighbors don’t want.

“It’s changing the character of the neighborhood,” neighbor Joann Ritchie said.

Track director Danny Newlon doesn’t argue that the track represents change, only its effects.

“It’s really a positive step for the community, but they don’t seem to think so,” Newlon said.

The neighborhood is zoned for suburban residential use, which allows for a non-profit community recreational facility for use by people “within the area in which it is located,” deLaubenfels said.

But the code’s wording is ambiguous because it does not define “area,” deLaubenfels said. Authors of the code could have intended anything from the size of the lot to the entire Valley, or larger, he said.

Track officials admit races draw entries from as far away as Cheney and Coeur d’Alene. They expect future races to attract competitors from even greater distances.

So track officials requested an interpretation from the hearing examiner last week, but have yet to hear back.

A hearing would give Kathy Bliesner a chance to clear up confusion about the track that she says is causing the controversy.

“I think most of the people still think a BMX track is a motorcycle track,” she said.

Bicycle racers show up at the track about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday’s to sign-up and pay the $10 entry fee. Neighbors complain that contestants on their way to the track frequently drive faster than the 25 mile per hour posted speed limit on Garry, deLaubenfels said.

The zoning inspector said he has told residents who are concerned about speeders to call the Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s traffic unit has not received any requests to patrol the area more closely, said Cpl. Jim Speaks.

Racing starts immediately after contestants are registered and runs until about 3 p.m.

Announcements and cheering get so loud they can be heard for several blocks, neighbors said.

But Mike Munson, who lives across the railroad tracks to the south of the bike track, does not understand what all the fuss is about.

“It looks like a bunch of people having fun,” Munson said during a break from mowing his lawn last week. “It doesn’t bother me.”

Adds Jim Lloyd, who lives across the street from the track: “It’s something for the kids to do, which is needed out here.”

However, Munson and Lloyd’s views are in the minority. While many of their neighbors recognize the track as a positive activity for youths, they prefer it be moved.

“I’m all for it, but not in my neighborhood,” said neighbor Nancy Millholland. “This is a quiet neighborhood.”

Ritchie agrees.

“If it were just for the neighborhood kids, that would be very different,” Ritchie said. “This is quite larger in scope than what should be in a residential neighborhood.”

And it may get bigger.

Newlon says races will be held three days a week - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday - once school lets out for the summer.

Newlon also plans a three-day race beginning May 31. The event will draw entrants from a wide area, including about 100 riders from the Seattle area, he said.

“Those races are going to make or break the track,” Newlon said. “That’s either going to make them stand up really tall and say, ‘Get that stupid thing out of here,’ or say, ‘Okay, maybe there is some interest.”’

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo