Charlton Drag Strip

Friday, November 21, 2014

Neighbors oppose plan for drag strip, motocross track in Charlton
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By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
kim.ring@telegram.com



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CHARLTON — About 65 residents from Charlton and Sturbridge urged developers planning a recreational complex off Route 49 to drop their proposed drag strip and motocross track.

The residents, many of whom belong to an ad hoc group called Residents Against Noise and Traffic, said they aren't opposed to the envisioned sports fields, water park, amphitheater and equestrian center, but the noise from the drag strip is something they won't be able to tolerate.

Ronald Charette, a former Charlton selectman, said the meeting held Thursday night in the town's Senior Center was for informational purposes, though many in attendance said early on they already opposed the park.

No permits have been issued, and while the Planning Board sent a letter to the state more than a year ago supporting a curb cut off Route 49 for patrons to enter the facility, it appears that board had no knowledge of the drag strip plan when it met with Russell Jennings in September 2013. The meeting minutes make no mention of the drag strip or motorcross facility.

Access to the property, wooded land near Brookfield Road, is another issue weighing heavily on residents, and while some oppose the curb cut because they believe it would make Route 49 more dangerous, the alternative of traffic — possibly thousands of cars for some events — using the rural Brookfield Road wasn't popular, either.

Mr. Jennings said on Thursday that no plans have been submitted and when they are, there will be a public hearing and abutters will be notified. He said he does not believe an agricultural restriction on the land will have to be changed, something Sturbridge Selectman Mary Dowling questioned.

"Did an official tell you that or is it your reading of the bylaw that Charlton allows drag strips on agricultural land?" she asked, adding later that she will oppose the Route 49 curb cut.

Maps of the proposed project showed a five-phase scheme, starting with the drag strip, motocross park and a campground. Mr. Jennings said those facilities will help fund four future phases, including sports fields, a hotel and a golf park.

Residents urged the developers to scrap Phase 1, something Mr. Charette called "the most offensive part of the project" and start with Phase 2.

"We're not opposed to soccer fields. The deal breaker is the drag strip ... if that gets off the table, these developers will find a lot of opponents," he said.

The Jennings family owns a housing development nearby, and Mr. Jennings said he would not build anything that would hurt that. He said the developers want to be considerate of neighbors, but because it is early in the process, he was not able to answer all of the residents' questions about noise and other issues. He said he would discuss some matters with his lawyers and engineers.

Developer Brent Sellew said after the meeting the park would be the first of its kind in the country because it will offer so many activities. He said he wants to offer opportunities for everyone to find something to enjoy at the park.

"We want it to have something for everyone, not just for kids who play football. Some kids do motor sports," he said.