After losing their motocross track in West Tisbury, the Vineyard dirt bikers may have a new home.
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport commission is considering issuing shared use agreement for a recreational motorcycle riding area at the airport. The two-acre parcel is currently used for staging construction materials and would continue to hold those materials in concert with the track.
Airport manager Sean Flynn said the area has no other use or value to the airport and the hours of use would be limited. The commission is currently seeking public comment for the track and is likely to vote on it in mid-February.
He said the airport commissioners, airport land use subcommittee, the all-Island chiefs of police association and the West Tisbury conservation commission have expressed their support.
The proposal is from J.J. Mendez, who previously operated a dirt bike track at Nip ’n’ Tuck Farm in West Tisbury. The center of much debate within the town, the track was shut down a year ago after pleas from abutters that the dirt bikes were too noisy, and caused mental and financial stress. The track also violated a conservation restriction placed on the property in 1986.
Mr. Flynn said he was confident Mr. Mendez would oversee a safe, responsible operation.
“Everything I hear [about Mr. Mendez] is he does a fantastic job and holds people accountable, provides classes and instruction in safe riding,” Mr. Flynn said. “He’s just trying to give back to the community and provide a place for people to be and done in a safe way.”
Mr. Flynn said dirt piles may be brought in to make it a “friendly motocross track” but otherwise there would be no large scale construction. Conditions on the approval would also include maintenance to the area.
Mr. Flynn said the track would “take some of the disturbances out of neighborhoods and give it a centralized location” with rules and safety.
The airport land use subcommittee is expected to vote on the track this month, with a full airport commission approval in February. Mr. Mendez could not be reached for comment.
Comments
Comment policy »