Neighborhoods protest; Chino Valley Council grants tentative approval; College and District Governing Board run for cover
A group of concerned Chino Valley home owners are fighting to prevent construction of a half million dollar motorsports facility in that town that will be located relatively close to their homes. The home owners argue that the track will adversely affect their neighborhoods. If built, they believe the track will result in increased traffic (high traffic on low volume roads), noise pollution, dust pollution and declining home values.
Yavapai College’s Agribusiness and Science Technology campus is located less than a half-mile from where the speedway is to be constructed. According to press reports, the college negotiated a provision in its lease agreement with Chino Valley that it could veto any motorsports facility at Old Home Manor.
In October, the Town Council agreed to an outline of a lease agreement with the proposed track developer. If the college board approves the agreement, then the next stage would be to iron out a formal lease agreement and for a technical review of the site plan to be completed.
According to the October 27, 2017 issue of the Daily Courier, Yavapai College has a veto because it was “was among the first to lease land at Old Home Manor and agreed to a swap, giving the town the building that acts as its current Town Hall.”
The college and members of the governing board have received numerous emails from Chino Valley residents about the project. However, they have not replied to those emails and have not scheduled the matter on their agenda. They claim there has been no specific request made to them to discuss the matter.
The following short video provides an outline of the dispute and the College’s position as of January 10, 2017.
The following articles, written by Mr. Ken Sain, provide much more details about the dispute:
The Daily Courier, January 10, 2016: editorial, Yavapai College should make track decision. (Click here)
The Daily Courier, November 5, 2016: residents start petition to stop raceway. (Click here)
Chino Valley government website, October 27, 2016. Motorsports to be discussed at Yavapai College. (Click here).
The Daily Courier, October 27, 2016: Chino Valley town Council gives tentative approval. (click here).
Chino Valley Review, October 5, 2016: Chino Valley puts auto racing on fast track: (click here).
The Daily Courier, July 15, 2016: Chino Valley considers motorsports. (Click here).
Official petition to prevent motorsports track in Chino Valley. (click here).