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THE INTERIOR NEWS 105th Year - Week 24
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Smithers, B.C.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
www.interior-news.com
Noise over motocross ramps up
Noise from motocross races has some neighbours looking for relief.
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Dan Mesec photo
By Dan Mesec Smithers/Interior News
The incessant noise of motocross has proved to be too much for some, as the Smithers Motocross Association is trying to resolves allegations their operations are illegal and in violation of regional district bylaws. Earlier this year, RDBN resident Ray Chipeniuk filed a formal complaint with the regional district about the noise erupting from the motocross track off Donaldson Rd. between Smithers and Telkwa. “The noise generated by motocross activities at the Donaldson Road track bothers many local residents tremendously and it has a negative effect on some rural businesses,” Chipeniuk wrote in an email to the Interior News. “It’s true the rural population is thin, but that doesn’t make it unimportant or less entitled to basic human rights than the people who live in towns and villages,” he said. The SMXA was formed two years ago after Hank Meerdink, a local land owner, donated a parcel of land to the club to build a track. Once that was completed the SMXA registered and
obtained insurance and sanctioning through the BC Motocross Association to hold races a few times a year. However, according to Meerdink bikes have been burning around there for years making noise, but once they formed a club it’s now illegal to do so. “Long before people called it a club I had my kids and my grandkids and their friends biking on that piece of property for years,” Meerdink said. “Now, suddenly they call it a club and it seems to be an illegal thing and it’s not illegal.” The property in question is zoned as agricul-
tural lands, which permits various uses and activities, including outdoor recreation facilities. But under bylaw 700, section 14 does not specify what kind of outdoor recreation facility is acceptable. “The fellow [Chipeniuk] who lives on the other side of the river a few kilometres away says the noise has ruined his life,” Meerdink said. “They make it sound like there’s nothing but a bunch of thugs running motorcycles around the place. Well, these are families, parents with their kids having quality time.” Before there was a formal complaint filed the RDBN seemed to have no issue with the location of the track. “They can turn a blind eye until one person complains and then they have to go through with it,” Aaron Miles, president of the SMXA said. Once the complaint came forward the RDBN was compelled to look into the situation and ruled the track is in violation of zoning bylaw 700 and contacted the land owner to find a solution to the situation. See NOISE on p. A2
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