If the race event at DirtFish on April 15 and 16 seemed inappropriately loud to you, check out this process:

1. A year ago, King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) was aware that DirtFish (Rally School) was contrary to the zoning regulations.

2. Months ago, King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert received a complaint about DirtFish’s operation.

3. Last July, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson e-mailed that he was “not aware of any record stating my support or opposition to the proposed re-use of the Mill Site” and “the new owner is promising that there will not be the negative impacts that you fear. It will be an advanced driver training facility, NOT a racing facility.”

4. Kathy Lambert was the sponsor on this month’s resolution to add emergency provisions to the county code which allowed the Temporary Use Permit for the race to happen without public input.

5. The Temporary Use Permit was approved on April 11 with DDES staff and Mayor Larson present.

6. The city of Snoqualmie “supports this event.”

7. Now that the parcel is in the pre-annexation phase with Snoqualmie, the county will not take any action about the inappropriate use.

So, despite inappropriate use of the property and complaints to the county and the city over the last year and statements that DirtFish would not be a racing facility, there was a race there which was allowed to happen, with your right to express an opinion having been denied. DirtFish has said that they would operate 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, never have a race, only have street mufflers, etc. They have not yet told the truth about their intentions. I believe that there has been a Chicago-style back room effort to have the Weyerhaeuser site and Dirtfish annexed without input of the public who pays for all this. Is that OK with you? I suggest you show up at the pre annexation meeting at Snoqualmie City Hall on May 2 and let them know that this happening without citizen input is dishonest and inexcusable.

Kit McCormick

Snoqualmie

Editor’s note: DirtFish President Ross Bentley responded to a request for comment on this issue from the Record, saying that his operation is appropriately zoned and permitted. He did not rule out future race events, saying the FAQ released by DirtFish owners last year allowed for televised events. According to DDES Director Tom Starbard, the Global RallyCross event held at the site was under the authority of the landowner, not DirtFish. Lambert’s office and DDES have been asked to respond to the writer’s concerns.