Residents in a farming community west of Summerland are outraged after their newest neighbour built a motocross track on his newly acquired land.
The property, which was vacant for years, was purchased by Summerland resident Rick Leitner this summer and within days the track was constructed.
“My son is a professional motocross trainer and he makes a living at doing it,” Leitner told Global News.
However, residents are vowing to fight allowing Leitner and his son to use the track, some citing noise complaints.
But noise isn’t their biggest concern, it’s the fact that the track was built on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land.
“If this thing is allowed then it sets a really bad precedent because if he can destroy half of that land then we all can do it, so you’re setting a real dangerous precedent,” longtime Meadow Valley Resident Patrick Wood said.
Close to 60 signatures were collected on a petition opposing the use of the motocross track.
“I’m a firm believer in the preservation of viable agricultural land in the province and when I see what’s happening here, I can’t see how that supports that,” Faulder resident Sandy Berry said.
Resident concerns range from the noise causing livestock disturbance to potentially decreasing property values.
Their petition was sent to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) which said it’s looking into the matter.
“Every situation is unique and we will have to look at all of the facts in this particular case before we make a determination,” ALC director of operations Ursula Viney said.
“No determination has been made at this point as to whether the activity is allowed or not allowed.”
However residents also want answers about why Leitner failed to get the proper building permit before starting his work.
He said he didn’t know he needed it and was pressed for time.
“We had a window to build this motocross track as we are busy racing and the professional track builders only had a small window so we utilized that,” Leitner said.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen said after getting complaints from residents and visiting the site, officials told Leitner not to use the motocross track until he applies for a building permit and until there’s a permanent dwelling on the land.
“We had full intentions of building on this place and farming on this place,” Leitner said.
“I’m doing my very best to support my son and have the least amount of impact on neighbours… It’s private, it’s not a permanent structure, dirt can be moved.”
David Gregory with the Okanagan Historical Society said there are other approvals that weren’t sought.
“This is an important historical site and before any disturbance of soil they needed an archeological assessment of the site before they did what they did and they’ve now ruined it,” Gregory said.
Leitner said there are many residents who support the idea of having the motocross track in their neighbourhood.
But those who signed the petition are vowing not to stand down until the track is gone.
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