Letter: Dirt-bike zoning terrible for Tiverton

Posted 3/22/18

To the editor:

There are changes to Tiverton’s zoning regulations being proposed that would allow for the development of motocross venues on any parcel of land, 100 acres or more, in the R80 …

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Letter: Dirt-bike zoning terrible for Tiverton

Posted

To the editor:

There are changes to Tiverton’s zoning regulations being proposed that would allow for the development of motocross venues on any parcel of land, 100 acres or more, in the R80 zone. Generally speaking, the R80 zone is comprised of almost everything south of Route 177, or roughly about 60% of our town’s land mass.

At first pass, there do not seem to be that many parcels of 100-plus acres in town. But when you consider that lots – especially undeveloped, land-locked lots that are otherwise unsuitable for conventional residential development – may be merged to capitalize on these proposed zoning changes, there may be quite a few.

Motocross (dirt bike racing) is a loud, disruptive activity. “Quiet” dirt bikes – those with silencers and spark arresters – produce decibel levels in the upper 80’s, but dirt bikes producing decibels of over 100 are not uncommon. Multiple dirt bikes compound the decibel output. Noise limits provided for in residential zones in our town’s noise ordinance are set at 60 decibels (and 5 decibels lower if the noise is considered to be continuous). The proposed zoning changes would allow motocross activity seven days per week, fueling stations on site, and stadium lighting for nighttime racing.

It is puzzling to us as to why the town would even be considering zoning changes that would accommodate this kind of activity.

In addition to the noise component of this kind of development, one must also consider the impacts to the environment. Wetlands are prevalent in the R80 zone, as is the watershed of at least public drinking water source. There is neither water nor sewer provided for the majority of the R80 zone; and the roads are undersized for the increased traffic that could result from the siting of such a venue in the R80 zone.

Lastly, properties within ½ mile of any motocross venue could be devalued by up to 20% of their current value. To put this in perspective, there are 95 properties within ½ mile of the motocross venue that is being proposed for 691 Brayton Road, the owner of which is pioneering these proposed zoning changes. Representing $18,474,000 in assessed value, a devaluation of 20% of the current value of these properties means that $3,694,800 would no longer be there to be taxed by the town. Such a loss would be made up for by increasing the tax rate for all of Tiverton. And this would repeat itself for every 100 acres that would become a motocross venue.

Our Comprehensive Plan depicts the residents of this town as having said that no development should occur in town as would negatively impact our quality of life. We say the development of even one motocross venue in our town would do just that, and we encourage everyone concerned about these proposed zoning changes to show up to the Public Hearing being held at Tiverton Town Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 26, and voice their opposition.

Cynthia Sturges

Mike Shinego

Tiverton

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