MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has voted to deny a request from Rocky Mountain Motorsports (RMM) for the cancellation of property taxes.
The move came by way of motion following an in-camera session at the Sept. 20 council meeting, held in person and online.
The $34 million Rocky Mountain Motorsports car racing recreation and training track facility is located at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 581 on a 385.64-acre parcel. It opened in September 2022.
“RMM has requested approval to defer paying their 2023 property taxes, which will result in the need to cancel tax penalties if approved by council,” county chief administrative officer Jeff Holmes said in a briefing note to council.
“RMM’s request is for approval to defer 2023 tax payments until the outcome of the Stop Order Appeal that is before the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) is determined. It is anticipated that the LPRT outcome will not be known until January 2024 at the earliest.”
The request before council was to cancel the September four per cent tax penalty ($8,670), and if the LPRT decision is still pending, cancel the January 16, 2024 tax penalty ($6,763).
The LPRT appeal relates to an application made by RMM for a development permit for a $20,000,000 expansion of the facility that would include the construction of eight buildings containing 80 vehicle storage units.
During a special council meeting held on June 12 council passed a motion requesting that administration prepare amended conditions for the development permit prior to council consideration.
On June 29 the county issued a stop order on the property requiring compliance with the sound limits under the original development permit.
Following the July 12 council meeting, RMM appealed the stop order to the LPRT.
CAO Holmes told the Albertan the LPRT hearing is scheduled for mid-December.
