BAUER'S PIT!!!!!!! :D
Aug 3, 2004 | 08:32 PM
#46
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Faribault, MN
BAUER'S PIT!!!!!!! :D
For those that don't get the local paper ... here was an Editorial (from the main editor) from the Faribault paper about the pit that came out at the same time the article about the commissioner's approving the pit was printed...
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Some lose, all may win
The nature of a land use dispute is that unfortunately someone generally loses.
Neighbors to Roy Bauer's property in Section 14 of Cannon City Township have told the Rice County Board they have concerns about Bauer developing a gravel pit on that land into an off-road vehicle driving range, but the board ruled in favor of allowing the development to proceed.
The neighbors' complaints are valid. They told the board earlier this month during a public hearing that they were concerned about noise coming from the off-road vehicle park, whether the facility would be adequately policed and whether the county could adequately enforce trail rules there. These questions are reasonable and come from adjoining property owners who fear that their quality of life could be affected by such an off-road park.
But these are the same questions that come from the neighbors to any proposed development and not all development can be halted just because the neighbors object.
Actually, this off-road vehicle range can serve a useful purpose for the Faribault area. It's no coincidence that all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts are scrambling to find places where they can legally ride. What makes this difficult is that the number of ATV riders continues to increase at a time when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to decrease the amount of state land on which it is legal to ride.
One thing is clear, if local governments aren't proactive in finding land where ATV riders can go, the ATV riders ultimately will find their own places to ride. It's far better for all local residents for the county to sanction a privately owned off-road vehicle park than it is for ATV riders to ruin other public or private property because they have nowhere to ride. Why not give them their own driving range?
The neighbors to Roy Bauer's proposed off-road park may be disappointed they lost this fight, but the Rice County Board did the correct thing in approving the park's conditional-use permit. This park could benefit everybody in the long run.
-------
Some lose, all may win
The nature of a land use dispute is that unfortunately someone generally loses.
Neighbors to Roy Bauer's property in Section 14 of Cannon City Township have told the Rice County Board they have concerns about Bauer developing a gravel pit on that land into an off-road vehicle driving range, but the board ruled in favor of allowing the development to proceed.
The neighbors' complaints are valid. They told the board earlier this month during a public hearing that they were concerned about noise coming from the off-road vehicle park, whether the facility would be adequately policed and whether the county could adequately enforce trail rules there. These questions are reasonable and come from adjoining property owners who fear that their quality of life could be affected by such an off-road park.
But these are the same questions that come from the neighbors to any proposed development and not all development can be halted just because the neighbors object.
Actually, this off-road vehicle range can serve a useful purpose for the Faribault area. It's no coincidence that all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts are scrambling to find places where they can legally ride. What makes this difficult is that the number of ATV riders continues to increase at a time when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to decrease the amount of state land on which it is legal to ride.
One thing is clear, if local governments aren't proactive in finding land where ATV riders can go, the ATV riders ultimately will find their own places to ride. It's far better for all local residents for the county to sanction a privately owned off-road vehicle park than it is for ATV riders to ruin other public or private property because they have nowhere to ride. Why not give them their own driving range?
The neighbors to Roy Bauer's proposed off-road park may be disappointed they lost this fight, but the Rice County Board did the correct thing in approving the park's conditional-use permit. This park could benefit everybody in the long run.
