Motocross is back in plan for Charlton
By
Debbie LaPlaca
Correspondent
Posted May 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM
Updated May 15, 2018 at 9:52 PM
CHARLTON – Motocross is back in the plan for outdoor sports and entertainment complex 508 International.
In a recent out-of-court settlement with the town, 508 International principals have agreed to meet with the Planning Board to clarify what activities are planned for the 23-acre site off Brookfield Road. With this, the board is to consider modifying its former site plan approval to define the 508 International venue as a “sports, entertainment and recreational facility for gainful profit.”
The Planning Board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Although the decision of whether to grant a modified approval rests with the Planning Board, town officials involved in the settlement have suggested the board re-review parking, safety, noise and sanitary facilities.
It is also suggested a modified approval that permits non-motorized, low-impact activities generally on the site, such as bicycle racing, running trails, and a paint ball course; allows medium-impact activities such as a concert area, hockey and baseball; and allows high-impact activities in the existing racetrack area, to include motocross and use of four-wheelers, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
508 International LLC gained Planning Board site plan approval in August 2015 for a sports complex featuring motocross.
An organized group of Charlton and Sturbridge residents fought the motocross portion of the plan, saying it would bring noise and traffic. When all town appeals were exhausted, the group took the matter to court, to no avail.
The park opened in April 2017.
Citing zoning and site plan approval violations, Zoning Enforcement Officer Curtis J. Meskus ordered 508 International operators in June 2017 to cease and desist all activities not previously licensed or approved by the town.
When unpermitted events continued, Mr. Meskus secured a temporary
injunction from state land court in August. In October, operators
announced motocross was dropped from the plan.
The settlement calls for the town to lift its cease-and-desist order to allow three events on the property: a cycling race on May 19, Tough Mudder Race on June 23 and 24, and a Spartan Race on Aug. 11 and 12.
The settlement states no other events are permitted unless the Planning Board authorizes them.
The Planning Board on Wednesday will also consider a petition to rezone 207 acres of 508 International land off Brookfield Road from agriculture to community business. The petition places the matter before town meeting voters on Monday.
If the Planning Board approves a modified site plan or town meeting voters approve the rezoning of 508 International land, the settlement says the land court case will be closed.
In a recent out-of-court settlement with the town, 508 International principals have agreed to meet with the Planning Board to clarify what activities are planned for the 23-acre site off Brookfield Road. With this, the board is to consider modifying its former site plan approval to define the 508 International venue as a “sports, entertainment and recreational facility for gainful profit.”
The Planning Board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Although the decision of whether to grant a modified approval rests with the Planning Board, town officials involved in the settlement have suggested the board re-review parking, safety, noise and sanitary facilities.
It is also suggested a modified approval that permits non-motorized, low-impact activities generally on the site, such as bicycle racing, running trails, and a paint ball course; allows medium-impact activities such as a concert area, hockey and baseball; and allows high-impact activities in the existing racetrack area, to include motocross and use of four-wheelers, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
508 International LLC gained Planning Board site plan approval in August 2015 for a sports complex featuring motocross.
An organized group of Charlton and Sturbridge residents fought the motocross portion of the plan, saying it would bring noise and traffic. When all town appeals were exhausted, the group took the matter to court, to no avail.
The park opened in April 2017.
Citing zoning and site plan approval violations, Zoning Enforcement Officer Curtis J. Meskus ordered 508 International operators in June 2017 to cease and desist all activities not previously licensed or approved by the town.
The settlement calls for the town to lift its cease-and-desist order to allow three events on the property: a cycling race on May 19, Tough Mudder Race on June 23 and 24, and a Spartan Race on Aug. 11 and 12.
The settlement states no other events are permitted unless the Planning Board authorizes them.
The Planning Board on Wednesday will also consider a petition to rezone 207 acres of 508 International land off Brookfield Road from agriculture to community business. The petition places the matter before town meeting voters on Monday.
If the Planning Board approves a modified site plan or town meeting voters approve the rezoning of 508 International land, the settlement says the land court case will be closed.
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