By MaryHelen Swanson

The Chisago County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing tomorrow on a request for a conditional use permit for the Sno-Barons Snowmobile Club to hold the annual Hay Days event in Chisago County in 2008.

They would like to move the event from Columbus Township to a 140-acre parcel at Oriole Avenue (CR 70) and Hwy. 95, east of North Branch.

The event, which includes snowmobiles and dirt bikes (motorcycles), is held the weekend of Labor Day and can attract 18,000 - 20,000 people each day of the two-day event.

The Sno-Barons say the event for 2008 is being moved to Chisago County on land purchased from John Peterson because of the cost of rent (in Columbus Township) and the amount of space required to hold the event.

Sno-Barons

They say the event is the ìlargest of its kind in the world.î

The event is held from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day.

Things that need to be addressed include parking and traffic.

Currently, at the Anoka County site, there are 8-12 deputies and electric signage controlling traffic.

Traffic starts very early in the morning. Private security personnel are also hired.

As proposed, only emergency vehicles may be allowed access to the property off Hwy. 95, there would be two, possibly three entrances off Oriole.

There will be no parking on Oriole. Arrangements are being made with Peterson to rent an additional 40 acres for parking. Peterson has also offered an additional 75 acres down the road for more parking. Volunteers handle the parking.

The Sno-Barons are also considering other events on the property during the year including picnicking, camping or a horse show. They have indicated that when the property is not in use, the site will be gated.

At the Columbus event, the Forest Lake Fire Department has an ambulance on site, professionally staff. Paramedics are also on hand.

The event is shut down in case of severe weather.

Regarding noise: it occurs between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with the noisiest snowmobile races from noon - 2 p.m.

According to information provided, it takes five seconds to run the track. The noise is loud for five seconds and there is a 5-minute break between each heat.

Motorcycles also run the track; they take about 10 seconds.

The camping on site, in tents or campers, is for volunteers or workers only.

Structures that stay on grounds all year include an announcersí booth, a six-foot high fence around the track, six trailers and seven ticket booths (usually hidden).

The event requires about 70 portable toilets.

Garbage is handled by another snowmobile club.

There will be about 300-350 volunteers working in three shifts.

Currently lighting is done with generators, but they would like to have permanent lighting in the future.

The Sno-Barons would like a permanent sign stating the site is the home of the Hay Days.

There is no live music other than for the National Anthem.

Bleachers will seat 500-1000.

Trees near the vendor area would have to come down.

The county has suggested that the Sno-Barons meet with the neighbors to address their concerns, hopefully before the planning commission meeting. The Sno-Barons would like to hold a ìmeet and greetî with the neighbors at the end of September.

The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Government Center in Center City.