New Jersey Tinton Falls’ residents would leave if motocross passes
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 5:28PM Asbury Park Press
TINTON FALLS – Some residents of the borough said they would consider leaving if a proposed three-track motocross before the Zoning Board is approved.
“I would absolutely. It’s (the motocross) good for out-of-towners but it’s not fair to residents here,” said Laura Negron, a 60 year-old Fox Chase resident. “The noise will carry, the traffic will grow. We’re already contending with a landfill; now we’ll have to deal with this.” The applicant, Jersey Shore MotoCross, is asking the Zoning Board for a use variance to build its track on 21 acres of land currently owned by Dominick Mazza on Shafto Road. A motocross is not a permitted use in town, said Thomas Hirsch, the attorney for the Zoning Board. The complete proposal includes a 3,200-square-foot registration and pro-shop building, a 2,400-square-foot maintenance building and parking for 405 vehicles.
The application hearing began in October 2013 and drew crowds of concerned residents, forcing the township to hold hearings in a larger facility. There was no need Thursday evening to seek different accommodations. Though the hearing was well attended, the number of residents easily fit in the township’s regular meeting room in the municipal complex. “There are a lot of problems with it. It’s very unclear what’s going to happen here,” said Christopher Payne, 29, and also a resident of Fox Chase. “They say it’s just going to be a practice facility with occasional races — that’s going to draw crowds.”
Payne said he thinks the motorcross may also devalue property in the borough. On Thursday, the Zoning Board heard testimony from the applicant’s sound expert and engineer. Of significant concern to the Zoning Board and its experts was the design of the parking lot. The applicant is asking for a waiver to build a gravel parking lot without landscaping, which Zoning Board Engineer Jeff Rauch said are both requirements of borough ordinances. The applicant’s engineer, Timothy Lurie, said the applicant has revised its plan and will pave half of the parking lot. However, Rauch suggested full pavement. “I have an objection to granting that use because when you have gravel parking lots you can’t have striping designating parking. I believe that it should be paved and striped,” Rauch said. “The other issue I have is people with the bikes will be doing maintenance in the parking lot. You have gravel, if you have spillage of gasoline or oil it could percolate into the ground.”
Mark Aikins, the applicant’s attorney, said bike maintenance would not be allowed in the parking lot. “Maintenance would be conducted under a roof in a building.” said Aikins.
The hearing will resume on Jan. 15 at the borough’s municipal complex.
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Reader Comments (1)
I have been selling real estate for 30 years now. Having a safe legal place for people to ride and practice is necessary . I have been to every meeting and sound will not be an issue based on testimony and the location . It's a no brainer . I know that I will be focusing selling homes that are close to this track .
This sport is growing and many families spend a lot of money for their kids to practice and living near a practice track is the same as living close to a ski resort, beach for surfing , golf course and many other activities and sports.
I lived at Fox Chase for 7 years. The taxes are lower , the school system is great, you are living at the Jersey Shore . If you can afford to live in New Jersey Tinton Falls is perfect. All roads lead to Tinton Falls. I am tired of hearing from the few residents close to the proposed track that their home values will drop. Please ! The smell off Shafto Road is enough to make you want to vomit. But Shafto Road keeps building. Why ? Location , Location Location and lower taxes. A practice track will bring more recreation businesses to the subdivision that is already in place. Do we really want another recycling center or mulch plant ? No you don't. Once the track is approved Fox Chase get ready for demand for families to buy your homes. There are families that will just but your home for the weekend so they can ride , shop at the outlets, go to NY for a show and go to the beach.
I will be the first broker to be knocking on your door ...
Happy Holidays
Andy Rose