Zoning board puts Motocross park put on notice

Valley Extreme Sports Park, or VXP is at the center of controversy in Augusta County. Park developers already have one violation notice from Augusta County's Zoning Board and a final notice is on the way.

Owners of the motocross park are asking for more time to finish phase one of its recreational facility, and neighbors are anything but happy.

Humes Franklin III, the lawyer for the neighbors said, "There's trash piled up. There are weeds and grass that are at least half as tall as I am."

Some of the harshest comments came from the board itself.

Augusta County Zoning Board Chairman Steven Shrekhise said, "The conditions out there are just completely unacceptable."

Zoning Board Vice Chairman George Coyner II added, "Frankly we don't have much of an appreciation for the place being in the shape it's in."

What they're talking about are violations of a special use permit, which required phase one of the project to be complete. That includes recreational amenities. But the board toured the facility and only saw overgrown grass.

Bob Argenbright, a VXP investor said, "There is a volleyball court out there. There is a basketball court. And there is a horseshoe pit. You may not be able to find them."

Another violation was a 10 foot mesh fence required for noise and dust control.

Shrekhise stated, "It's something that you all are trying to get by with. It's put up cheap and it's not attractive."

Argenbright didn't deny that the park was neglected, but said the reason was because a family tragedy that caused them to close the park for three months.

"My daughter-in-law, Doug's wife – who is a majority stock holder in the company, lost his wife in the battle to cancer," Argenbright explained.

The Argenbright family told the board that the motocross season was nearly over, and that a lot would be done between now and spring.

Harold Argenbright, another VXP investor pleaded, "Please try to give us another chance. We want to give this thing a shot."

"We did the best we could. All we want is more time to accomplish this," added Bob Argenbright.

The board tabled the issue until its November meeting requiring the permit applicant, Terry Argenbright, to be present. It also agreed a final notice of violation be sent giving Argenbright 30 days to comply or appeal the decision.