Permit on track

Palmer panel considering fairground's request

Jan. 30, 2007

By SHARON G. McBRIDE

Frontiersman

PALMER - The city of Palmer's planning and zoning commission has been walking a virtual tightrope trying to balance a growing number of residential concerns with growing more business opportunities at the fairgrounds.

For the past few months, the commission has been debating whether or not to grant a conditional use permit for the Alaska State Fair.

Historically, the Alaska State Fair, although within the city limits, never had to apply for or receive a conditional use permit from the city to conduct normal fair operations or events outside the state fair time frame, said Sara Jansen, the city's community development coordinator.

It was just one of those things that was &#8220grandfathered,” she said.

But that's all over.

The fair opened a race track in 2005, and with it came complaints from neighbors who lived nearby. The races were cut back in 2006, but now, with a proposal to hold races throughout the summer starting this year, the controversy has renewed, and fair officials have found out they aren't in compliance with city codes.

&#8220Their ‘use' had clearly expanded because of the race track and as a result of that it nudged them into another category,” Jansen said: one that did not fall under the &#8220grandfather” clause.

&#8220Conditional use often extends beyond property,” she said. &#8220And in this case, it's a noise issue with the racing.”

At its Jan. 18 meeting, the commission wrestled with the pros and cons and put off making a decision until Feb. 7. And, although the public hearing for the conditional permit is closed, the public still can address the issue during the public comment portion of the commission's Feb. 7 meeting.

As it stands, the commission is deliberating what conditions - limitations - the permit will include. For example, some of the conditions state that neither racing nor practices shall take place after 10 p.m. or before 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday or prior to noon on Sunday.

But many residents who live nearby say imposing certain criteria isn't enough.

&#8220We live one mile from the fairgrounds,” said Donna Massay, who lives near Hidden Ranch and Britney Estates subdivisions. &#8220When the races were occurring, we couldn't have a conversation on our back porch. My husband was 3 feet away from me.”

Besides the noise, the Massays are afraid the value of their house and other property they own in the area will decline.

&#8220There's a gazillion things that they can do at the fairgrounds year round that would have a positive impact on everyone,” she said. &#8220There's just more thought that needs to go into it.

&#8220But we see the conditional use permit as a blanket of permission that will allow them to have just about anything, like rock concerts, 365 days a year.”

Michael Kircher, chair of the planning and zoning commission, agrees with the Massays, but wants to carefully consider everyone involved.

&#8220I think in the past, the planning and zoning commission has been very pro-state fair,” said Kircher. &#8220But personally, I think certain businesses are inappropriate for Palmer and that includes a race track.

&#8220We should not have it under any circumstances.”

Beyond the noise, he said, there are a lot of other factors that should be looked into before allowing races to

continue.

&#8220Typically at race track events there are people who consume too much alcohol,” he said. It then becomes a safety issue on adjoining roads.

For Joe Lawton, general manager at the Alaska State Fair, the possible denial of a permit not only means the end of racing but of a lot of time-honored traditions.

&#8220Without a conditional use permit, we are out of compliance with a lot of things,” he said. &#8220Concerts, fireworks and animals - according to the city, we need a permit for all those things and events. After everything is said and done, exactly how much of a ‘fair' will we have?

&#8220We're trying to balance everything and take input from everyone. I strongly encourage people to get involved at all levels of their city government. The city of Palmer is growing and decisions are being made that will affect everyone.

&#8220Make sure those who are elected are making the best decisions on your behalf at the next meeting.”

The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Palmer City Hall, 231 W. Evergreen Ave. in Palmer.

Contact Sharon G. McBride at 352-2522 or sharon.mcbride

@frontiersman.com.