Dispute over BMX park
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Bud Johnson bought land and an old warehouse in Springfield in 2007, converting it into an auto body shop and skate park with the county’s permission. But after holding BMX events at the facility, neighbors complained to the county, and Johnson got a fine.
“We bought this place because I want to spend a lot of time with my sons and their friends,” said Bud Johnson.
Johnson said his sons converted a third of the space of the warehouse into a BMX skate park. He uses the other portion of the building as an auto body shop to restore classic cars.
Last year, Johnson said he held a BMX event on Halloween for a fellow rider.
“One of the boys got killed on his bicycle right before Halloween,” he said, “and they wanted to do a memorial event for the boy and raise money for the family.”
Lorri Harms, one of Johnson’s neighbors, said she and others in the area complained to authorities after the event because of overflow parking on a shared roadway and loud noise that could be heard late into the night.
The county responded by handing Johnson a set of seven guidelines for how he could use his property in the future.
Johnson said he tried to follow the guidelines during two more BMX events, but was confused by the paperwork.
According to documents prepared by Lane County hearing official Gary Darnielle, “unless the use of the facility is prohibited entirely, a blurry line is probably the best that can be accomplished within the confines of this opinion.”
But, in response to continued complaints by neighbors, the county held a hearing and fined Johnson $1,080 for violating three of the guidelines.
“They say the activity can’t happen on a regular basis,” said Johnson.
“We were supposed to limit the number of people to no more than one-half dozen,” he added.
But Johnson admitted he had between 15 and 20 vehicles at each of the three events he hosted between October 14 and November 4.
Johnson said he wants that limit raised to at least 20 riders.
“And number three,” Johnson said, “they say the noise generated can’t be of a nature to disturb a reasonable person in a neighboring residence.”
Johnson said he is appealing the county’s ruling, but that his family is still frustrated.
“We ride and have a good time—clean, good fun,” said Jim Johnson. “I don’t know why anyone would want to stop this.”
“We’re minding our own business,” said Johnson. “It just seems very un-American that we’re in this position.”
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