Proponents say it will likely save lives. Opponents are concerned about residents having to tolerate more noise.
By a 5-2 vote last week, the Independence Township Board approved a variance to allow the Waterford Hills Raceway to host special police driving training.
The proposal, made by field training officers from the West Bloomfield Police Department, first asked for permission to use the race track for 25 days a year, but was trimmed to 12 out of consideration for local residents, according to Officer Art Smith.
The training sessions will not be based on ‘high speed pursuit? scenarios, Smith said, and speed may reach up to 70 miles per hour only on one stretch of the course. Training will take place only during daytime hours, and the noise level will not exceed the township’s maximum allowed decibel level, he said.
The goal, Smith said, is to teach police officers the limitations of both driver and vehicle, use of proper braking techniques, recognition of common types of curves, proper steering techniques and effects of forward inertia and centrifugal force.
‘There’s an importance behind this issue that can’t be expressed in a proposal on paper,? Smith told the board. ‘Every year, on average, 40 percent of all police officer on-duty deaths are related to traffic or driving problems.
‘Simply by entering my patrol car on any given day, I’ve increased my risk of injury on duty by 400 percent. That’s just for showing up for work.?
While sympathetic to the goals of the project, some said the history of the relation between the race track and neighbors called for extra consideration. Supervisor Dale Stuart and Treasurer James Wenger voted against the proposal.
‘This is one of the areas where we’ve had constant complaints from the neighborhood,? Stuart said. ‘These uses they’re asking for would be in addition to what we’re already allowing. You have to remember where this is located. It’s located around a residential area. Any use of that racetrack has some effect on the residents who live around there. I cannot recommend to the board that we allow that to happen.?
Stuart said concerts at the DTE Energy Music Theater do not exceed the decibel limit, yet neighboring residents still complain of excessive noise.
Wenger also cited the music theater in his opposition to the race track proposal.
‘I can imagine what we would do if they came and said we wanted to extend the season with more concerts,? he said.
Township attorney Steve Joppich, who helped negotiate the reduction to 12 days, said the ‘backdrop? of the noise issue was significant, and he cited ongoing work with track officials to deal with the noise issue.
‘We’ve been in discussions with the track representatives for quite awhile now discussing ways to address the noise issue and ways to address the amount of track usage in connection with comments we’re receiving from the abutting neighbors,? Joppich said. ‘A lot of progress has been made over the last year. The track has been very cooperative in working with us.?
Track officials, however, are in support of the police training project, and said they are progressing in construction of a wall to help mitigate noise.
‘The wall, in some form or another, is definitely going to happen,? said Anne Roeske, Waterford Hills facilities coordinator.
Joppich said plans are for the wall to be built along the straightaway the first year, with an extension along Pelton Road the following year, assuming that the township grants a setback variance.
‘I think this is something that’s really for the public good,? Clerk Joan McCrary said. ‘I’m also pleased the noise is below what the ordinance [allows]. It’s not going to bother the neighbors because it’s below the decibel level. I don’t see where the 12 days a year would make that much difference compared with the [race] events.?
‘I understand the sensitivity of the neighbors, but this is really for the public good,? said Trustee Daniel Travis, a lifetime member of the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club. ‘Those neighbors have to understand that the police departments, well trained, can really benefit them enormously.?
Trustee Daniel Kelly noted that the variance was granted only for one year. ‘I think it does benefit law enforcement, and it seems intrusion into the local neighborhood is limited. We’ll see how it goes. I think it’s worth the risk.?
Trustee Larry Rosso said people are concerned about the dangers of crashes involving public safety vehicles.
‘The liability issue that [Smith] raised is the thing that scares me the most as a citizen,? Rosso said. ‘I think that overweighs every other consideration.?
Smith, who with two fellow West Bloomfield officers are certified by the Michigan State Police Precision Driving Instructor Program, said there are no suitable facilities outside the MSP Lansing headquarters, and the state program is cost-prohibitive for small departments.