Lacombe County is cracking down on how businesses are meeting their dust control requirements.
The issue was brought to light by a county resident who questioned how dust control was being paid for as part of the development permit for Xtreme Raceways near Alix.
Under the terms of the development agreement with the motocross track business, Xtreme must pay 100 per cent of the cost of dust control on the designated route to the track.
The condition was one of 22 that Xtreme owners Greg and Michelle Martens are required to meet.
Investigation revealed that county residents supportive of the track along the designated route had applied for dust control themselves under the terms of a policy that sees the county pick up two-thirds of the cost and county residents one-third.
Some residents who paid for their dust control agreed to treat it as a donation to the track and were recognized as sponsors.
The Martens were also willing to reimburse all or part of the residents’ share of dust measures, said Bernie Kuntz, the county’s assistant development officer.
The deals with neighbours allowed Xtreme to avoid paying the full cost of dust control along the designated route for the past eight years. In effect, dust control became subsidized with county taxes.
Kuntz said Xtreme isn’t the only business that has handled its dust control obligations in the same way.
The county now intends to check other development permits to ensure businesses are covering the full cost of dust control if required as part of their approval.
County commissioner Terry Hager told council that the Martens have told him it will be difficult to do all the required dust control if they must pay the full cost, and that could mean more neighbour complaints.
“We anticipate this is going to be a problem starting next summer.”
One of the difficulties faced by the county is there are few enforcement options available, he said.
“Other than pulling the permit, we don’t have an awful lot of tools for enforcement.”
Greg Martens estimated it would cost $15,000 to $20,000 to pay for dust control, a huge sum for the business.
He plans to further discuss the issue with the county and believes the issue can be resolved. Many residents along the route are willing to work with him to ensure dust is taken care of.
“My intentions are to be open next season and to work with the county and work through this just as we have done for the last nine years,” he said.
Xtreme Raceways has been controversial. The track, which was opened in 2002, has been opposed by a number of area residents, who have complained about dust, noise and traffic.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com