People living near a motorsports racetrack in the Cowichan Valley are turning to the courts to bring an end to ongoing noise issues.
The Sahtlam Neighbourhood Association filed a civil court action against Vancouver Island Motorsports Circuit track owner, GAIN Vancouver Island and the municipality of North Cowichan on Monday.
Association president Isabel Rimmer says the decision to pursue legal action came after efforts to establish a working group with all three parties to reduce noise coming from the track failed.
The action, filed in Victoria Supreme Court, argues that the property’s current industrial zoning allows car racing as a permitted use.
The neighbours are asking the court for an injunction to stop racing on the track, and a declaration that driving a vehicle without a muffler on the property violates local noise bylaws.
None of the claims have been proven in court, and neither the company and the municipality have filed responses so far. GAIN president Peter Tzewik could not be reached for comment. North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure said he couldn’t comment while the matter is before the courts.
Keith Vass
