By Jon Tatting
Isanti County News

Proponents and opponents to changes in the county zoning ordinance to allow for a motor sports facility proposed in North Branch Township are expected to voice their opinions this week before the Isanti County Planning Commission.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be staged at the Hardy Performing Arts Center at Cambridge-Isanti High School.

At issue, JD Investments CEO Jed Copham and Vice President/General Manager Scott Quick went public March 2 when they presented the plan before the North Branch Town Board and township residents - including landowner Glenn Johnson whose selling 752 acres to Copham for the project, proposed between Zodiac and Potomac streets - just to the south and in eyeshot of County Road 5.

Under the plan, North Star Motorsports Park (the facilityís working title) would, in part, offer patrons a 3.3-mile paved road course with a potential for club memberships; go-cart rentals; educational opportunities on different driving techniques concerning personal vehicles or motorcycles; car shows accompanied with cruises for local car clubs; and amateur sanctioned events from time to time.

Copham has emphasized the project will not involve a drag strip.

Zoning change?

Isanti County Zoning Administrator Tim Anderson has noted that for the county to approve the project, the planning commission would have to consider recommending an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow for a conditional use permit.

Further, the property would have to be rezoned from ag land to another classification for a site specific spot, one that would be more conducive to auto racing. As of now, the county doesnít allow a permit for a motor sports facility in an ag district, Anderson said.

Before a packed house April 6, the North Branch Town Board voted against the consideration of a zoning amendment to allow for such a facility on land currently zoned agricultural in Isanti County.

Town Board Chairman Robert Schmidt this week said the township has submitted a letter indicating its position including a petition - with about 550 resident signatures - for county review.

Opposition in numbers

Since JD Investments went public with its proposal, a group of concerned citizens and neighbors have come forward against the project.

The group, coined Concerned Citizens for Land Use, has become very active toward spreading their mission through informative flyers and newsletters for the public.

The 800-member group and its 10-member steering committee argues the motor sports facility will, in part, jeopardize quality of life, affect home values in close proximity to the facility, threaten peaceful neighborhoods, increase local traffic and compromise a healthy environment.

Concerned Citizen Maury Anderson, a resident of Oxford Township and member aboard the county parks and board of adjustments groups, attended the original meeting when the proposal was pitched last month before the North Branch Town Board.

After the meeting, six phone calls motivated over 50 residents for a follow-up gathering at his home.

ìOur main concern is the ordinance change permit to allow for a race track on any ag district land in Isanti County,î said Anderson, noting the proposal appears to conflict with current zoning measures updated in 1998.

ìWe canít control what the politicians do once their elected; they make up their own minds. But we as residents have a responsibility to let our voices heard.

ìYou can attempt to influence them without name calling and by getting out information as best you can. If not, we have nobody to blame but ourselves,î he added.

Right at home

Corinne Johnson, born and raised on the original 160-acre family estate in North Branch Township, is concerned the motor sports facility - proposed to be built adjacent to her land - will disturb the integrity of what her grandfather John Henricks began farming in the 1860s.

Sandy and Don Zins, who live on 20 acres of land previously subdivided by Johnson, are a field away from the proposed facility.

Johnson and the Zins love the peace and quiet of their land; one can definitely find their signatures on the petition against the project.

ìThis is home; we have our money sunk in here. I shutter to think what could happen here (and across the county),î said Zins, looking out at the Sunrise River which flows through her property.

ìThereís a big percentage of people who have chosen (this area) to be their sanctuary. Race tracks shouldnít go where people have already invested,î Zins added.