THE LONG-AWAITED CASTAIC MOTOCROSS PARK IS DEAD

According to the Los Angeles Daily news:

ÿÿÿÿÿA developer has abandoned plans for a motocross park in a canyon underneath the Interstate 5 split – a project that raised the ire of some residents – citing lack of financing. Still, Nadler Development Co. of Westlake Village is proceeding with a 130,000-square-foot business park slated for 19 acres on Castaic Road in Maple Canyon, where the freeway’s north and southbound lanes criss-cross. Developer Neil Nadler did not return calls for comment Monday, but in a May 18 e-mail to the Castaic Town Council he cited rising costs as the cause for dropping the proposed Castaic Action Sports Canyon.

ÿÿÿÿ”The budget costs have exploded from my initial budget in April of 2005 of $3.0 million to over $10.0 million,” Nadler wrote. “This excludes the Castaic Business Park. I have pursued both public and private financing for this Motorized Off Highway Vehicle `OHV’ Park and there is no individual or group interested in either loaning me the money or purchasing the land…. The OHV Park does not make economic sense.”

ÿÿÿÿNadler wrote that he already spent 18 months and about $150,000 on studies for the proposed 153-acre park, which raised opposition from area residents who feared the facility would bring unwanted noise and traffic, especially near Lake Hughes Road – I-5’s last exit in Castaic. Some have organized into an opposition group called Keep Castaic Safe. Chairman Jim Grzeslo did not return a request for comment Monday, but a response to Nadler’s e-mail posted on the group’s Web site called for further action. “Now it is time we make it clear to stop Nadler from doing any project in Castaic, and we will accomplish our mission for the best interest of our community.”

ÿÿÿÿThe entire project – including four motocross tracks, the business park and open space slated for 227 acres in the canyon – received preliminary approval in December from the Castaic Town Council. But it still has to undergo environmental review and consideration by the county Department of Regional Planning, then return before the local advisory council for final consent. “It’s unfortunate we had to go through all this trouble just to have (the motocross park) canceled,” said Lloyd Carder, the town council’s president. “It’s a difficult piece of property to work with. It sits in a canyon and access is tough. The reality is we’re not going to have much there.” Still, Carder said the business park proposal might work. “As long as it’s conforming with the (community standards district) and it’s zoned for that, it should be fine,” he said. “It’s that constant search for any municipality looking for jobs and income.”

ÿÿÿÿNadler said he will soon return with amended plans. “I know this OHV Park issue has divided some people in the Castaic community and I wished that did not occur,” he wrote. “All I was attempting to do was provide the Castaic Community what was the most beneficial for the whole community. As promised, I will be returning to the Castaic Town Council before I process any plans for the business park through the county of Los Angeles.”

ÿ(dailynews.com )