Race venue plan draws ire of town residents

Concerns over a proposal to put an autocross and drifting track in the Town of Fredonia led the Plan Commission to agree to a sound test to determine the effect on area residents.

The plan by Jay Bullington, owner of JXB Performance in Saukville, to construct a parking lot for grassroots motorsports on 72 acres at the southeast corner of Highway 57 and Jay Road has drawn the ire of neighbors and others living nearby who say the facility’s noise, water runoff and increased traffic will adversely impact their lives.

Bullington is seeking a conditional use permit for a 17,000-square-foot business headquarters, event venue space for motorsports activities, pavilion-like covered area, observation balcony and a restaurant, along with accessory uses.

An 18-acre parking lot would be used for autocross and driver education. A six-acre track would be designed for drifting, sliding a car around while still controlling it.

Andrea Ward, who owns an equestrian boarding facility across the street, is worried about the noise impact on her business.

“Horses are skittish animals. They run first, ask questions later. My clients will be putting their lives at risk,” she told the commission on Dec. 3 as a standing-room only crowd listened.

“Jay said he wants to be a good neighbor. Race tracks and horse farms, livestock do not go hand in hand,” Ward said.

Ray Yank, who lives on Highway K in Dacada, said sound travels.

“This venue will be adding what I call nails-on-a-chalkboard noise levels,” he said.

Bullington said he plans to add berms to help reduce the noise, and said sound from his facility won’t be the same as a racetrack.

Autocross isn’t done on an oval racetrack with traditional race cars. The sport has drivers navigate courses marked by cones as fast as they can, competing one at a time. Speeds reach about 60 mph, and courses can change in design. One car competes at a time.

Bullington provided sound comparisons showing autocross is in a more reasonable range. He had a firm develop a plan to mitigate water runoff, which includes a retention pond on his proposed development.

“I’ve read every comment on every Facebook post, and your words have not gone on deaf ears,” Bullington said.

“I’m here today to prove that I want to be a good neighbor. If you live nearby, you may hear it from time to time, but I promise it will never be loud.”

Some of the attendees at last week’s meeting were from outside the town, either supporters of the plan or skeptics from neighboring communities.

Matt Dubinski, who lives on Highway I not far from where the track would be built, said he supports it.

“As a car enthusiast myself and a lover of being safe, I think a complex like this would keep some of the drivers that do some of the stupid (stuff) off the road,” he said.

Mike Pride, chairman of autocross for the Milwaukee region of the Sports Car Club of America who is familiar with the area since he grew up in Grafton, said this type of racing can be helpful.

“I found skills that made my driving better on the road and I respected more of where to put those skills to use, and they weren’t on the road unless absolutely necessary,” he said.

Ozaukee County Economic Development Director Kathleen Cady Schilling said her eyes lit up upon seeing the plans since she is also a member of the Ozaukee County Tourism Council.

Some residents said Bullington has a well-thought-out plan but questioned the location.

Paul Mueller, owner of Badger Camp and Resort on Highway 57, which is one-third of a mile north of the proposed site, said, “It’s going to take a lot to block that noise from my campers. I’ve got 85 campers that come from city environments trying to get away from this stuff.”

Michael Yank, who lives on Town Line Road west of the site, said, “Being in the sticks with not having a lot of amenities is part of being country. If you want a lot of development, go find a bigger, urban, suburban environment.”

The Plan Commission voiced its own concerns over noise, water and traffic.

John Depies said it doesn’t matter how big the retention pond on the site would be, “it will be full.”

Chairman Chris Janik wondered about the sound issue.

“Is this an overreaction or is this something we can live with for the betterment of our community?” he asked.

The commission liked the idea of a sound test, and Bullington agreed.

“Anything that can give us more information,” commissioner Tom Mishefske said.

The sound test will be posted as a public meeting and neighbors will be notified.

Residents can provide input on the proposal by emailing Town Clerk Christophe Jenkins at townoffice@fredoniawi.gov.