LOS ANGELES — The plan for a new road-racing facility in Los Angeles County has met with strong support — and a dedicated group of opponents as well. The plan for Fairmont Butte Motorsports Park will be going up before the county planning commission in February, and proponents are looking to rally support for the cause.
The idea came from Tom Malloy, a racing enthusiast who owns 320 acres of land in the Mojave Desert that he wants to turn into a 3.6-mile road course. The venue would be open for use by clubs and racing organizations. The Los Angeles Times reported back in July that there is strong opposition from environmental groups because the venue is only a mile from a state nature reserve where poppies and other wildflowers grow. Malloy's site is in the Antelope Valley, 20 miles northwest of Lancaster, according to documents he has posted on auto-enthusiast forums seeking support. He says he plans to put in a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, 45,000-square-foot garage facilities and "overnight accommodations and other amenities."
A hearing on the issue is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, at 11 a.m. in the public library of Lancaster, California. Supporters will be permitted to testify, the organizers say. Malloy also urges racing fans to write to the government reps who will be involved in the decision: Jodie Sackett of the planning commission and L.A. County Fifth District Supervisor Mike Antonovich.
Complete project detail is available at the county's Web site.
Inside Line says: Should be interesting to see who wins out — or how the plan will be altered so it gets the green light. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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objectiveview says:
12:26 AM, 12/16/2009
Good God, do environmentalists have to get in the way of everything?!?!? FFS
brnelson1 says:
12:45 PM, 12/15/2009
Once again, if you consult the Draft Environmental Impact Report, you see that the 300 ft.-high Fairmont Butte separates the track site from the Poppy Reserve and acts as a natural sound deterrent. Plus, sound tests showed that noise (from actual racing vehicles) is barely audible from the foot paths and other popular areas on the Reserve. And what little sound is heard will likely be drowned out by the wind that typically blows through that area.
felonious says:
12:33 PM, 12/15/2009
I would be more concerned about noise pollution than anything else. One mile from a natural reserve? I think that's asking too much.
Also, it's about TEN MILES FROM WILLOW SPRINGS. If you're going to build another racetrack in CA, at least don't put it right next to an existing one! The San Diego area sure could use something like this, hint hint, and there's a lot of cheap, undeveloped land off the 8. Just sayin'...
brnelson1 says:
12:16 PM, 12/15/2009
According to the Draft Environmental Impact Report there would be no impact on the poppies at the Poppy Reserve. If fact, poppies and other flowers such as goldfields would actually be cultivated at the track site to help maintain the natural beauty and help it fit into the landscape.
smihal says:
11:00 AM, 12/15/2009
Will someone please consider the poppies!