Residents Sue Laguna Seca Because It’s Too Noisy And Creates Traffic

A bunch of people who’ve recognized themselves as a “social welfare group” are submitting a lawsuit in opposition to the proprietor of Laguna Seca, Monterey County, and the non-profit Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The occasion, formally generally known as the “Freeway 68 Coalition”, claims that the observe violates noise laws, present zoning legal guidelines, and California’s Environmental High quality Act whereas additionally creating an excessive amount of visitors. It seems that there are ample causes to consider that the plaintiffs will find yourself dropping their case although.

Laguna Seca has existed as a racing hub because the late Nineteen Fifties, and most of the present residents across the observe moved in lengthy after it grew to become a racing Mecca. Regardless of that, the Freeway 68 Coalition desires to ban racing occasions and observe leases which might be “in extra of the extent of use and noise that existed on the time the authorized nonconforming use was established … which was in 1985.”

The coalition claims that the observe is rented for 340 days a yr, an announcement that appears to be at odds with the knowledge out there on Laguna Seca’s public calendar. Nonetheless, what’s past dispute is the numerous financial enhance the observe gives to the county yearly. In 2022 alone, occasions held at Laguna Seca generated an “spectacular whole direct spend” of over $246 million.

As such, county officers don’t seem too apprehensive in regards to the lawsuit. “It’s unlucky sure people have chosen to file a grievance in opposition to the County regarding operations at Laguna Seca,” Nicholas M. Pasculli, Monterey County’s communications director, wrote to SFGATE in an e mail final week. “The County doesn’t acknowledge any benefit to the allegations and expects a positive authorized conclusion.”

Learn: Porsche Rennsport Reunion Highlights Present Why It’s A Bucket-Checklist Weekend

Freeway 68 Coalition has filed quite a few lawsuits within the county up to now. Most seem like aimed toward stifling improvement and in not less than a type of circumstances, the court docket discovered that the claims had no benefit. For now, it doesn’t seem that the 2024 schedule on the observe will see any impression primarily based on this lawsuit. It’s nevertheless a thorn within the aspect of a handoff between operators on the observe.

By way of noise air pollution, it’s value noting that not the entire occasions held at Laguna Seca are motorsport-related. For instance, the annual Sea Otter Basic is a biking pageant held partly on the observe itself. Laguna Seca additionally hosts working occasions and different non-motorsport-related experiences. The primary main occasion of the yr, the abovementioned Sea Otter Basic isn’t held till April. Maybe a little bit of peace and quiet between at times will permit the events to get issues straightened out.