Plans are in the works to rezone a portion of Highway 118 East for a snowmobile racetrack.
On Wednesday the Town of Bracebridge’s planning and development committee will consider applications for an official plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment for the track at 2819 Hwy 118 East, between Milne Road and Conway Crescent.
The 20.6-hectare lot is currently home to a dryland marina and has 384 feet of frontage on Hwy 118.
According to a staff report, the proposed track will be used for snowmobile racing and training purposes. It will host racing events associated with various associations with racers and their support crews registered with either Canadian Snow Cross Race Association (CRSA), International Series of Champions (ISOC) or Championnat de Snocross (SCMX-Quebec).
According to property owner Glenn Goodale, the track has been used for this expressed purpose for the past 10 years but it was only recently the zoning issue occurred.
In fact, Goodale said the facility has served as a training ground for dozens of racers over the years including multiple national champions from the Muskoka area.
“This isn’t just something I do for myself but it’s a way to give back to the community,” said Goodale.
The proposal includes one track for supervised training and racing purposes, operating between December and March depending on snowfall pack depth and temperature. Race events would occur on Saturdays, and training and practice sessions would occur on weekends and on one or two weekdays.
No spectators aside from crew and supportive roles for riders are permitted on the site during race events and no plans for public events are proposed at this time.
Staff indicate that a large number of public comments were received in support of the proposal. Those in support say it will boost the economy and tourism from people travelling for races who stay, shop and eat locally during their visit. It will make Muskoka a known destination for snowmobile racing and generate further benefits to both local residents and young racers, supporters say.
Goodale said many racers already travel significant distances to use the facilities because there aren’t many practice facilities of that quality available in this part of the province.
There are also some opposed to the application, with adjacent property owners worried about noise, property values and potential contradictions with the Town’s official plan policy.
Traffic and noise reviews were both conducted by the applicant and Goodale said after-market exhaust systems are banned from using the track.
The traffic report states that the existing access provides acceptable traffic operations and sight lines under the peak summer season and is expected to operate in the same manner for winter operations when both site and highway volumes will be less.
A noise report was also prepared and significant back and forth occurred between Town staff and the developer before coming to an agreement over necessary noise mediation measures.
The proposal will be considered Nov. 8 at 2:30 p.m.
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