Improvements to All America Speedway not approved by county
By Michelle Carl Press Tribune Editor
Even with the windows closed Apryl Bloom has the crank the volume up on her TV just to drown out the sounds of the All American Speedway.
Bloom and other residents have been subjected to excessive noise from the Roseville racetrack after track expansions allowed for NASCAR-sanctioned races, according to a Placer County grand jury report.
The report, which was released Feb. 1, also reveals that improvements made in 2007 were never approved by the county.
The jury alleges the modifications were made so the racetrack could qualify for NASCAR-sanctioned events under the guise of “safety and maintenance improvements.”
The speedway, located on the county-owned Placer County Fairgrounds, hosts Pro Stock, Modifieds, Street Stock and Bomber races every Saturday night March through October.
“We would love to entertain in the summer or just enjoy our backyard, but we know that during the racing season that is just not possible,” said Bloom, who lives on Ironwood Circle, around a mile away from the racetrack.
Bloom said she could hear noise from the track since she moved into the home in 1996.
“A few years ago, it got exponentially louder to where we couldn’t enjoy our backyard because we could actually hear the announcer and the cars going around the track and backfiring,” she said.
Bloom contacted the City of Roseville, which received a total 26 written complaints from nearby residents about excessive noise coming from the PA system and the racing vehicles.
The City of Roseville does not have jurisdiction to enforce noise complaints on the county-owned property.
The grand jury report also knocks the Placer County Board of Supervisors for not investigating the failure to obtain proper permits.
The county was notified in a letter dated Dec. 13, 2006 of repairs and upgrades, but this was after significant work was in progress, according to the report. The jury reports that no permits were ever issued for the improvements, which included extending the racetrack 70 feet and widening another portion by 30 feet.
The Speedway announced its agreement to allow NASCAR races on Dec. 5, 2006.
The jury says increased speed from these events has contributed to excessive noise, air pollution and decreased property values.
Placer County Fair CEO Joan Bartosik said in a statement that the board is working to address concerns. Bartosik said many sound complaints have already been alleviated.
“In 2008, and again in 2010, we had a sound study performed at the Speedway and complaints have been significantly reduced due to additional sound restrictive walls and new policies put in place,” she said. “In fact there were no complaints at the end of the season following our biggest race.”
Jim Durfee, director of Placer County Facility Services, said the county is working on a response to the report, which is due May 1.
“Our approach is to try to come to a conclusion on the grand jury’s recommendations in a way that protects the county’s interest, protects the public interest certainly, and still works with the fair to help maintain what’s probably a pretty important part of their overall operation,” he said.
The grand jury report also found that the agreement between the Placer County Fair Association and the county expired at the end of 2007. The report says the association has “refused” to sign the new agreement, which would give the county increased oversight over fairgrounds and Speedway operations.
The grand jury recommends the speedway be examined by building inspectors and engineers to ensure the improvements are up to code.
Michelle Carl can be reached at michellec@goldcountrymedia.com.
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