Lyon County Commissioners once again said “no” to a request to hold any further races at the Yerington Motocross Track facility.

Commissioners previously agreed to allow for two races in the Spring of 2009 to see how things would work.  The two races generated considerable protest from residents of Cottonwood Lane and neighboring areas.  When the Fair Board returned to request 10 races annually, neighbors turned out in force to protest and on January 21, 2010 the commission voted 3-1 to deny any further races until past agreements to alleviate neighborhood concerns are properly addressed.

During testimony at the February 18, 2010 commission meeting in regards to a request for two races this spring, it was clear the majority of commissioners did not feel the Fair Board has made sufficient effort to address neighbor concerns with the dust, noise and fumes generated by the weekend events.  They also pointed out that residents of the area were still not being properly notified of Fair Board meetings and questioned the board’s proper posting of meeting agendas.

Testimony from Cottonwood Lane residents also suggested alternate areas within the Mason Valley and Wilson Canyon areas to build a similar race track.

Speaking on behalf of the Fair Board, Secretary Lisa Tibbals said plans were being made to create a buffer zone between neighboring homes and the track.  She also pleaded for the commission to not put a stop “to a guy (Promoter Shane Kissman) who has invested $10,000” in the construction of the track.

Tibbals suggested the efforts to bring in events to the rural community could be hindered by the complaints of neighboring residents.

“My concern now, as a Fair Board member, is that there are a lot of venues we could host at that facility.  We have a fantastic facility.  We have one of the best facilities in the state,” Tibbals stated. “When we bring these venues in are we going to have complaints from these neighbors with every event that is going to have noise?  I feel as a Fair Board member, that these neighbors have not given us a chance.”

It was noted that this was the first time neighbors had made an issue of events at the fairgrounds.  This particular concern centered on the motocross events held on a newly constructed race track located on 43 acres of recently purchased property adjacent to the fairgrounds arena.

In making the motion to deny the request for two races, Commissioner Phyllis Hunewill noted the prior approval of two races was “on a trial basis to see how it would work and we’re hearing how it worked.....we haven’t heard anything about possible solutions.”

Her motion to deny passed 4-1, with Commissioner Don Tibbals voting in opposition.