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Commissioners up in the air over fate of the Coop
(by Dedra Cordle, Staff Writer - September 23, 2009)
The possible development of the Cooper Stadium property was the main topic at the most recent meeting of the Southwest Area Commission.
Currently, the site sits unoccupied, but there are tentative plans by Arshot Investment Corp. to build a motorsports complex, complete with restaurants, a speedway, a drag strip and a go-kart track.
This proposal has raised concerns from residents in the vicinity who feel a motorsports complex would bring too much noise to the area, negatively affect the quality of life and disrupt the tranquility of the neighboring Greenlawn Cemetery and Whittier Peninsula.
There has been at least one noise study completed by opposition group ROAR (Redevelop Our Area Responsibly).
The group commissioned Noise Consultancy to do the study, with twin noise studies by Arshot Investment Corp. pending.
In an effort to increase community involvement on the issue, the commission has set Jan. 20 deadline to have representatives from ROAR speak at future meetings or open houses, as well as representatives from Arshot Investment Corp.
As for their own position, the commission has yet to make a decision regarding their approval or disapproval of the proposal.
“Cooper Stadium is potentially the biggest employer within the Southwest Area Commission,” said commissioner Ralph Horn. “To discourage the only legit development proposal they have had on the site…it’s something we have to be careful about.”
Kathleen Williamson-Thacker added her belief that the commission cannot take up a position until they get more direct information.
“I don’t feel we have enough information,” she says. “What about the noise, the traffic flow, the amount of money it would generate? How would it impact the area if it happens, and how would it affect the area if it didn’t happen? Those are questions I would like answered.”
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