Dear editor,
It鈥檚 official. The details of the large development proposed for Saratoga Speedway and the surrounding area (20 hectares in total) is public. There is a Rezoning Application by M&C Leighton Holdings Ltd. and R. Leighton Holdings Ltd. to rezone five properties to allow for outdoor recreation, recreational vehicle camping, special events, and other related commercial and assembly uses.
They propose a 鈥淐omprehensive Development Zone鈥� that would enable a 168 site RV Park (beside the speedway) and also the following (which are taken directly from the proposal letters to the CVRD dated Nov. 5 and April 12):
Area 1 of the Comprehensive Development Zone would contain the actual racetrack and the RV Park with 鈥淎ccessory Uses鈥� listed as 鈥淥ffice, Outdoor storage, Recreation facility, Retail sales, Service establishment, Single detached dwelling for use by a caretaker.鈥�
Area 2 lists accessory uses as 鈥淥ffice, Retail sales, Craft beverage processing, Restaurant, Liquor licensed establishment, Automobile repair, Service establishment, Outdoor storage, Single detached dwelling for use by a caretaker.鈥�
The community was tolerant of the old Speedway despite the noise, traffic and exhaust. It was almost accepted as a local fixture. If accepted this proposal would be way more than simply a speedway. It remains to be seen whether that community tolerance has been exceeded with this much larger project proposal. I urge all local residents to read the proposal in its entirety ( go to CVRD website and find the minutes for the May 10 meeting of the Electoral Area Service Committee). Only after doing that will one be able to evaluate their claims with respect to noise, traffic,and the nature of the RV Park. Then get ready for the public hearing phase. It will be interesting.
Neil Ross,
Black Creek
