Mountain View County councillor Jeremy Sayer says he isn't taking a position right now on a controversial multi-million dollar motorsports park being proposed for a property in his Division 1.
“Basically what I will say in regards to that is I don't have any comment one way or another,” Sayer told the Gazette June 8.
Rocky Mountain Motorsports is proposing to build the facility on the southeast corner where Highway 2 and Highway 581 intersect east of Carstairs.
The company has submitted an application for a direct control district re-designation under the county's land use bylaw. The application is currently being circulated to various stakeholders and adjacent landowners.
A public hearing would have to be held as part of the re-designation process, usually following first reading of the amending bylaw.
A number of landowners with properties near the proposed site have raised concerns about the project, including regarding noise, wildlife impacts, and the impact on property values.
Following the June 8 council meeting, Sayer was asked where he stands on the project.
“As a councillor I choose to remain unbiased,” said Sayer. “I want to wait until the public hearing to formulate whether or not it is something that is good or not good for the community.
“I am not taking a position for or against (the project). I definitely want to wait for the public hearing and I would strongly encourage anybody, whether you are for or against, to attend that public hearing to make your voice known.”
Rocky Mountain Motorsports president Dominic Young says the facility will cost about $60 million to build.
The facility would include a motorsports racetrack, driver and police training facility, a motor vehicle services business area, commercial retail services, recreational outdoor sports fields and agricultural transition zones.
A date for first reading of the direct control district bylaw has not been set.
-with files from Patricia Riley, Carstairs Courier.
