A personal Motocross Track is being built in the vicinity of our neighborhood on a property near the Park Hill Apartments on 44 and behind Critter Connection. This is a violation of our right to peace and quiet, and it could hurt the value of our homes given the excessive noise. We won't just be able to sell our homes and move away from it because no one will want to buy in such a noisy area. We also shouldn't have to move because of an inconsiderate neighbor.

The land is zoned R3 Residential, and while it is personal property, the owner is infringing on the rights of neighbors in multiple ways. The noise emanating from the track violates the Mount Washington Noise and Nuisance ordinances of 92.21 Section B Article 5 (Unlawful Conduct) and 92.22 (Standards for Noise Pollution) articles a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i, and j. These ordinances are detailed here.

Don't think the noise will reach you or don't think it's that bad? The track could degrade our property value and make it difficult to find a willing buyer should any of us decide to sell our homes. At minimum, the track could degrade property value by 8%, or $8,000 for every $100,000 your house is worth. It could be more though. If the property value of the homes nearest the track declines, it will create a domino effect on the value of the rest of the houses in the neighborhood, even if they can't hear the noise. When a house is appraised or realtors are deciding on an asking price, a comparitive analysis will be run. The comparitive analysis will see the decrease in those home values, and then evaluate your property at a lesser rate as well.  We will also be forced to disclose the presence of the track to avoid lawsuit from a potential buyer since the noise endangers the comfort and peace of those near it. On realtor websites, our neighborhood is listed in a "low noise zone," which will no longer be true.

Furthermore, the dust from the multiple riders of this track could damage property and pose a health risk to neighbors. It could settle on your siding and on your brick. It could settle on your air conditioner and in your pools. The dust that will be created isn't just from one rider: there have been up to six extremely loud bikes at once, and I'm sure more are coming when the weather gets warmer. I have heard them and I'm all the way over on Park Ridge Drive. And as more people hear about this track where they are allowed to come and ride, it's going to become a nightmare. 

One neighbor says police chief Tim Morris claims the land owner isn't violating any of the ordinances with all of the bikes going for hours at a time. This is absolutely not true. I've lived in Bullitt County all of my life, and I'm appalled our police force is failing us, but I'm not surprised. It's all about who you know in Bullitt County, and life-timers know that. This landowner knows all the right people. My neighbors were being given the run around thanks to the Good Ol' Boy system here in the Mount. If it were the police or council members or mayor that had to listen to this noise for hours at a time, you can guarentee a stop would be put to this immediately.

Our hope is to keep this out of civil court if we can make enough "noise" to our elected officials about it. Dirt bikes are banned in cities across the country for a reason, and to allow this to happen in peaceful residential neighborhoods is unacceptable. Please email Mayor Stuart Owen at sowen@mtwky.org or call City Hall at 538-4216 and leave a strongly worded message. In addition, please click this link to email all members of the City Council. I will keep in touch as the situation evolves. Also, please share this petition with anyone in the Forest Ridge Subdivision in case they didn't receive their letter. I ask for your help and support in resolving this matter for myself and neighbors. 

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