War Eagle Speedway project faces more delays

Concept map of proposed War Eagle Speedway facility.

If the Aug. 16 meeting of the county planning and zoning commission showed anything, it is that it will be a while before Elmore County is going to the races.

The meeting was the second to address the permit for Northwest Motorsports' application for a Conditional Use Permit to build a motor vehicle race track and expo center.

The meeting focused on key additional information with the building of the racetrack and expo center, especially consideration of the lighting, expo center, site map, schedule and traffic.

NW Motorsports President Pam Dugger said that the War Eagle Expo will not be like any other traditional convention center, and their intention is not to compete with any other convention center in the valley.

She told the county planning and zoning commission that the facility will feature the expo center, the 1/4 mile venue, race museum, state of the art simulation center, racing arcades, "showcase" Idaho, a restaurant, gift shop, racing schools, and a media/racer meeting room. She made it clear that with this expo center, family involvement is key.

"It's the ultimate fun house, with no cold or rainy days," Dugger said.

She assured the commission that it is critical to their success, that they provide months of operation and offer entertainment and amusement opportunities to the residents of the residing communities.

Vice President Bob Walker, a resident of Boise, discussed from the original plan the revisions to the site layout and how the expo center moved from the previous location. He then addressed the matter of condominiums or executive suites and how they would be rented out to the public and be treated as a hotel operation.

Walker described the schedule and how it reflects the commencement dates, with events scheduled for May 2007 and the completion of the events for November 2010. However, he said, their completion date might be pushed back about 3-4 months.

John Stone, a consultant for Trans-Cibil, told the commission a traffic safety study he had completed has been approved by the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Mountain Home Highway District.

The study suggested changing Simco Road to a four lane facility, putting in bypass lanes to keep the spectators from traveling down the intersection, and putting in a standalone exit lane onto Interstate 84 westbound. He also suggested the development of a left and right-turn bay for east and westbound traffic for the area of Simco Road and old Highway 67.

Walker said that a total of 75,000 patrons is the biggest projection of visitors for one single event.

Shane White of Musco Lightning, based out of Muscateen, Iowa, said his firm is the only lighting company that is sanctioned by NASCAR to provide lighting for NASCAR races.

White was there to address any concerns the commission had with the lighting setup. After showing a printout demonstration of how the evolution of light control has progressed over the years, he said that Musco has adapted to that progression by use of various reflectors and external visors.

He then brought out a facsimile of the lighting structure, Green System, which is the system that would be used for the track. He told the commission that with the use of visors, it directs the lighting angle and reduces the effect of the lighting for residential neighbors or spectators watching the race. He used two photos of a soccer stadium and a baseball field, both lit with Green System, to demonstrate his case.

The commission told White that the lighting poles were to be no higher than 80 ft., or else NW Motorsports would have to get a variance. Chairman Nettleman told White that was a concern to pay attention to and not wait till the last minute.

Public testimony indicated a resounding approval from the first set of Idaho residents. Boise native George Flick believed it to be one of the best ideas to come in front of the board in a long time. Mike Eisenman thanked the commission for their "wonderful attention to detail."

Lt. Col. Tom Rasmussen of the Army National Guard expressed his concerns about the future endeavor, however.

First, with the executive suites and with having people stay there overnight, will there be an issue of noise from the Guard's weapons systems?

Second, the traffic study and the use of Simco Road, which he said has, during a month-long period from June to July there is heavy military traffic in the area, he wasn't sure the issue was addressed. He also expressed concern over the lighting and how it could affect the Guard's night vision training.

Rasmussen requested an opportunity to view the terrain and proposed lighting and that an annual meeting would take place to discuss their proposed events. President Dugger agreed to let Rasmussen view the upcoming facility and stated scheduling is the main purpose, and through a proposed memorandum agreement should be able to resolve the issues.

Mary Frisch, resident of Mayfield, reiterated her previous concerns over the traffic study and how any eventual worse-case scenarios were never discussed. Fellow Mayfield resident Miranda Martin expressed her concern about the discrepancy of the volume of vehicles per hour during the exit period and entrance period for a national event, and that there wouldn't be enough law enforcement to handle the traffic flow.

Comissioner Al Sobtzak, asked if the fire control on the fire station would be manned at all times, to which White said yes.

Dugger said the facility will have a trauma center, the fire department will be equipped with paramedics and that there will always be EMS personnel and equipment on site.

Sobtzak said he really didn't know "how this is going to pan out in the future," but wanted to see the permit be issued.

Commission member KC Duerig had concerns over noise levels, and mentioned an ordinance that states a limit of no more than 80 decibels for weekly races and 85 decibels for special event races.

"Monitoring the noise level is certainly reasonable. We would have no problem in monitoring the noise level," Dugger said.

Some other conditions the P&Z sought to impose were:

* An emergency evacuation plan will be developed and on file with the Growth and Development department

* Lighting will be installed with the Green System.

* The company will meet semi-annually with the growth and development department to update them on the project time line.

* The permit has an expiration date so that if the project is not completed in four years they would have to come back and tell the commission why in order to get an extension.

No decision was made during the hearing. The commission scheduled another special meeting for Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.