Action sports facility proposed for former recycling plant

By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 30, 2005 11:37 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- The wheels have started to turn on a plan to transform a vacant trash recycling plant into an action sports complex, but developers said Tuesday they won't race ahead with the project until residents of southwest San Marcos are on board.

The proposed complex would be the first facility in San Diego County to offer large, indoor go-kart and dirt bike racing courses, said John Valenty, one of two local businessmen who founded World Motoplex.

He said the company is working with residents on plans for the project and is in the process of purchasing the 15-acre property on San Elijo Road that was once considered a potential site for a movie studio.

"Our vision is to provide corporate and family entertainment," said Valenty, an Encinitas resident, who is partnering with Carlsbad resident Scott Beyer in the venture.

Valenty said the complex would provide residents the opportunity to whiz around a 60,000-square-foot road course on go-karts or maneuver around a 77,000-square-foot dirt course on bikes or buggies.

Both courses equipped with state-of-the-art timing systems and spectator seating would be located inside the five-acre former recycling building, Valenty said.

Businesses could rent a course for parties and team building activities during the day, and memberships would be offered to local residents.

"There is plenty of business to go around," said Valenty. "The reason this will work in North County is because lucrative real estate development has pushed out motor sports activities."

Valenty said there are only two indoor go-kart facilities in San Diego County and most people have to head out to the desert to race on dirt.

There is not a course in the county to race at after the closure of the Carlsbad Raceway and an El Cajon track in the past couple of years, he said.

More recreational vehicles are sold in San Diego than any other part of the state, but people have no place to use them, said Bruce Santourian, who was involved with a failed effort to save the Carlsbad Raceway.

"Obviously if they had this facility they would have people who would go there and enjoy it," Santourian said. "It would be absolutely perfect, and I don't see why anyone would oppose it."

Having the tracks located indoors will prevent noise and dust from impacting the surrounding community, said Valenty.

He said most people using the facility would either rent the go-karts and bikes or would have the ability to store their vehicles on site. The facility could also include a store where customers could buy new racing vehicles.

But plans are flexible because the developers are trying to take as many steps as possible to make the project attractive to residents, Valenty said.

"We are very open minded," Valenty said. "We want to appeal to the community."

Valenty said he received a mixed response last week when the project was presented to about 28 residents of San Elijo Hills, an upscale master planned community just north of the proposed facility.

The plans called for an outdoor skate park and wave pool on the property, but he said residents had concerns such facilities would attract loitering teenagers.

At the request of residents, Valenty said the group was looking at the possibility of not including such features and adding several other amenities.

Residents responded positively to a proposed fitness center and also suggested putting in a resort-style pool and community center. Valenty said his group was looking at the options and would soon present new designs to residents.

"We respect the fact that they are giving us the opportunity to provide feedback," said San Elijo Hills resident Lori Drake. "If done right this could be an amazing thing and if it's not done right it could have a huge impact on the community. There's a lot to consider."

Gaining the support of the community is the first step in the development process, said City Manager Rick Gittings. He said the land is zoned for a film studio and the city council would have to change the specific plan for the area to accommodate any other business.

The city would prefer to have a film studio on the site, but no one has approached the city in the past year about a studio, said Charlie Schaffer, the director of development services.

He said a New York company, Spirit Horse Productions, received all of the necessary approvals for a movie studio from San Marcos last year, but the group never acquired the property.

The property, which was owned by Allied Waste Industries, was sold instead to two San Diego-based developers for $8.75 million on Feb. 28, according to county assessor's records.

Schaffer said the owner's have not talked with the city about developing the project, but Valenty and his group have approached the city about the action sports complex, Schaffer said.

"We have not reviewed anything, and we suggested before they go forward they talk to the community," Schaffer said. "This is a unique idea and every time you have such a concept it's good to meet with the community."

Contact staff writer David Sterrett at (760) 761-4411 or dsterrett@nctimes.com.

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