Beck, Angelini & Casagrande Want to Ban Motocross Tracks Near Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblymembers Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande announced that they are sponsoring legislation to ban motocross facilities from being located near residential properties and are calling on the state to withdraw funding it has provided for a track proposed in Tinton Falls.

The 11th District legislators said they were sponsoring a bill to prevent projects similar to the one that is proposed for Shafto Road in Tinton Falls from being considered in the future.

“Facilities like the one proposed in Tinton Falls can have a serious impact on nearby residents and property values,” Beck explained.

“Homeowners should be protected from having one of these dropped in on their neighborhood. A bill like ours is a common sense measure protecting our constituents’ homes and neighborhoods.”

The lawmakers noted that, while the legislation would not have any impact on existing applications, they wanted to ensure that these projects could not be forced on towns that were opposed to these facilities being located in their community. They also expressed concern that, under existing law, one municipality could approve a motocross project that could negatively impact on a neighboring town or an entire region.

The Jersey Shore Motocross proposal would entail the development of a 21 acre facility for dirt bike racing. The plans call for the construction of three tracks, including one with lighting for night racing, as well as a parking lot for nearly 400 vehicles.

“The motocross track proposed for Tinton Falls would have a significant impact on the quality of life for residents in surrounding residential communities,” said Angelini. “Residents who live nearby are understandably concerned about noise, pollution, traffic and a number of other issues associated with locating this type of facility in such close proximity to residential properties”

This legislation requires anyone seeking to operate a motocross facility to obtain a license from the state Department of Law and Public Safety and prohibits such a license from being granted for any proposal to be located within five miles of a residentially zoned area.

“Motocross is a fun sport but unfortunately it’s an incredibly loud sport as well,” said Casagrande. “It doesn’t belong in a residential community like Tinton Falls where it can disrupt peaceful family life. This legislation will help establish parameters for better locations for motocross.”

Beck, Angelini and Casagrande also wrote to the Department of Environmental Protection requesting that they withdraw grant money they allotted for this project.

“We respectfully request the allocated $500,000 is withdrawn from this project and considered for another more favorable site,” they wrote.