Just give me a chance, says Hanmer motocross park proponent

The man hoping to establish a motocross track in Hanmer is bringing a noise protocol to the city's planning committee Monday he says will ensure his neighbours won't be disturbed by the sounds from the track.

Serge Solomon is hoping to open the track on Gravel Drive in Hanmer, the location where the Valley East Motocross Park operated until 2012, when the city discovered it had issued a permit for the park in error.

Solomon is now working to get the area rezoned so the park can open again, and has spent the last couple of years fundraising for a noise study. However, he faces opposition from some of the neighbouring homeowners, some of whom have filed letters with the city stating their opposition to the plan.

But Solomon hopes to sway at least some of them when he unveils a plan he says will ensure noise levels from the park will be within acceptable limits. In fact, he says the noise will be comparable to what they would normally experience even if the park wasn't there.

"Monday is my chance,” Solomon said. "I have a protocol to propose that will meet the (noise) standards, as well as still respect the neighbours.

"It's so that everybody will be happy. So I can run the dirt bikes, following the bylaws, only at certain times, without disturbing my neighbours."

While saving the details for Monday, he said he would monitor the noise and document everything to show city bylaw officials that he's ensuring the protocol is being followed.

"If I test a bike, and they don't pass (the limits for noise), then they don't ride that day," Solomon said. "My proposal is very reasonable."

He held a public meeting regarding his plan, and he said he was able to win the support of some of the 11 people who attended. He's hoping to garner more support when the plan goes to planning.

"I'm feeling hopeful," Solomon said, about whether his plan will change minds. "I respect (my neighbours). I understand they want to enjoy their backyards just as much as everybody else. That's why the (protocol) would be in place. So I'm not disturbing them."

The application would see the property rezoned from rural to rural special, on land owned by Solomon's father, Georges.

A staff report on the rezoning application casts doubt on whether it's possible to operate the park without disturbing the neighbours. But Solomon said he's hopeful that he can make a convincing argument when he gets a chance to speak.