My husband and I have been involved with the raceway when it was still known as SIR in the late 70’s & early 80’s. Through strong Community commitment, hours of research, and lots of donated funds, the 1984 Conditional Use permit was born. As a whole, it was felt that the rules of the CUP were lenient toward the track, but were fair, giving the County, Community and the track a basis to work with to make this facility a ‘good neighbor’.
From the get-go, there were problems with track management trying to ‘sneak’ past permit conditions. The County, at that time, was more responsive to neighborhood complaints and violations, taking a firm stand with the track to resolve issues immediately.
This year, Pacific Raceways has been allowed, due to lack of enforcement, to complete an entire racing season without complying with the rules listed in the CUP.
Community relations with track management have deteriorated to the point that we are gathered here in an attempt to bring this facility back into line with the original CUP conditions.
The 1984 CUP sites the following conditions:
1a. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
This has been ignored all season long. Per Berteigs definition in the 02/19/92 letter, “SIR shall be closed to all race testing & racing on quiet days…….any activity on quiet days must be quiet”. Per 02/22/10 letter from Mr Sandin to Mr Fiorito, “no noise above the ambient noise level”. Per 07/13/2010 letter from Ms Sawin to Mr Fiorito, “Monday and Tuesday racing & non-emergency testing may resume only if a noise study finds there is no impact. Cease all race testing & Kart racing year round by 07/10/10”.
Mr Fiorito was well aware of the Monday and Tuesday ‘closed’ restrictions spelled out in the CUP, yet he blatantly ignored them to the detriment of the surrounding community.
1b2. SIR shall notify BALD prior to May 1 each year for the seasons quiet day weekend days. …shall be posted on the entrance sign for neighbors and track users.
Per Mr Berteigs letter 02/19/92, SIR was to be denied being able to change the quiet weekend days after May 1. Two quiet weekend days in one month is not allowed. SIR is to be closed to all race testing and racing on quiet days.
On 02/10, Mr Sandin to Mr Fiorito ..reminded him to post the 5 quiet weekend days prior to May 1. 07/13/10 Sawin to Fiorito - 5 quiet weekend days still not posted.
There were a total of2 quiet weekend days this racing season. The community is owed 3 additional weekend days in the upcoming year.
15.5 - The plot plan shall designate camping areas…camping shall only be allowed to race participants.
Directly from the Pacific Raceway FAQ site: Can I camp at PR? Camping is available during all multiple-day events. …must be paid in advance for NHRA due to strong demand
Another violation
Kart Track… The Kart track advertised as being open for various events 7 days a week. It was to be operating under the same permit as issued to the racetrack. Only after the July 13 letter from Sawin to Fiorito did the Monday and Tuesday racing end. Kart track was approved for 4 stroke Kart racing only. All noise studies done by the track and the county addressed only Kart racing. Directly from the Kart racing site, the track has been advertising for Kart racing, supermoto, drifting, car lapping. These are unapproved and illegal activities per the Kart track permit. Should Mr Fiorito wish to expand the use of the Kart track to other vehicles, it then should be open to a public hearing since this is a ‘new’ use.
The above listed violations require that the County levy substantial fines against this facility for flagrant abuse of the Community throughout this year. In addition, the CUP must be reopened to a full public hearing so that there can be definitive wording that will eliminate the need for further definition or meaning of each word in the permit.
Further, there can be no consideration of expansion of any type for this track until they have demonstrated for several years that they have the ability to abide by current rules.
In addition, any expansion must include stringent County over site for all future development since management has shown such a blatant lack of regard for both the surrounding Community and County authority.
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