Issue: Wilzig Racing Manor
- IMPORTANT NOTE
This issue is not about personalities, or any individual's opinion of motorsports. It is about whether the plans for Wilzig Racing Manor are permissible under the existing local zoning code, which we all have to abide by. Below, the Granger Group has gathered publicly-available information to help you make up your own mind and participate in the upcoming meeting(s) on this issue.
- DOWNLOADS (PDF FORMAT)
1) Legal brief from Drayton Grant, counsel to The Granger Group
2) Memo from Sam Pratt on procedure
3) Memo from Sam Pratt on public notices
- BACKGROUND
In July, code enforcement officer Dennis Callahan upheld the Town's zoning code when he issued an "Order to Remedy" to Mr. Alan Wilzig, who had started work on a paved motorsports complex off Post Hill Road -- without following the same review process as other residents typically undergo for far smaller projects.
- PUBLIC HEARING
On Monday, September 18th at 8:30 pm at the Taghkanic Firehouse on Route 82, Taghkanic's commitment to enforcing its zoning code will be put to an important test. The Granger Group encourages all residents to attend the meeting to witness and participate in the proceedings.
- WHO
Alan Wilzig, along with his brother Ivan, is the heir to a New Jersey banking fortune. Previous to Alan buying land in Columbia County, the Wilzigs shared a castle they built in the Hamptons. Source: MotoSavvy Magazine
- WHAT
Wilzig originally stated that his "Racing Manor" would include a mile-long track for race cars, a motorcross-style track for dirtbikes and buggies, 4 miles of wide trails through the woods for a variety of vehicles, and over 100 acres of "open rolling fields" which vehicles could also traverse. Source: alanmoto.com; see "Not just a track," below
- WHERE
Wilzig's "Racing Manor" would be located on Post Hill Road, west of the Taconic Parkway. Though Wilzig has described the property as 300 acres, paperwork filed with the town indicates 3 parcels totalling 216 acres. Sources: alanmoto.com; letter from Wilzig attorney Carl Whitbeck
- WHEN
On May 10th, 2006, Wilzig wrote on his own website that "Work commenced today on scraping out the first cut of the circuit in the dirt... We ran the first half mile IMMEDIATELY on the Honda FL400 Pilots and KTM 525's, basically trying not to rear end the bulldozer... If the final decision comes down to a 1.3 mile track that's safe in BOTH directions versus a 1.5 that an only be run one way - we will have to settle (for now ;-) with 1.3. Source: alanmoto.com
- WHY
Wilzig says that his facility will be "private" and his aim is to have "fun." He writes at his website that "For those of you unfamiliar with Columbia County, New York - CHECK?IT?OUT before the prices go up any further. Just 100 miles from Manhattan..... yet when I crest a ridge on an ATV... I feel like I'm on 10,000 acres in Wyoming." Source: alanmoto.com
- HOW
While Wilzig did seek some permits for his home, outbuildings, and pond expansion, to our knowledge he did not file paperwork related to his racing/motocross activities, prior to the Town ZEO issuing an Order to Remedy. (See Legal, right) Source: Town records.
- NOT JUST A TRACK: IN WILZIG'S OWN WORDS
Before the recent controversy, Alan Wilzig described his project as a "motorsports paradise." After public scrutiny began, Wilzig removed this information from his website, alanmoto.com. The Granger Group saved a printed a copy of the page, which has been provided to the Town. Excerpts follow below, revealing a far more extensive project than has been presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals:"It's a rare place... in which one can 'exersize' everything from exotic cars and racebikes to vintage classics on a state of the art 1.18 mile, 30' wide, challenging and technical roadracing course with over 60' of elevation changes."
"The 'stars' of this circuit will very like be [a] pair of Ariel Atom race cars. Pits and paddocks are state-of-the-art."
"To complement this circuit... is a motorcross style track for our KTM dirtbikes and 4 identically prepared, purpose-built Honda Odyssey racing buggies."
"There are also 4 miles of wide trails throughout an 80 acre wooded section of the property. We have 4 customized Yamaha Rhinos, an assortment of 4WD and racing quads, and 4 Honda Pilots... specifically for those trails, as well as 100+ acres of open rolling fields which are unrelated to the various circuits."
"If invited guests haven't done enough roadracing or dirt racing to satisfy their 'need for speed,' there is an 1800' long private lake... for fishing, boating, jet skis and more."
- BUT IS IT LEGAL?
On July 12th, local Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO) Dennis Callahan sent Wilzig an "Order to Remedy," stating that his construction of a racetrack on his premises was "in violation of the Town of Taghkanic Use Regulations." Wilzig was ordered to comply with the law and remedy the conditions mentioned on or before the 22nd of July. However, Wilzig's attorney, Carl Whitbeck, has since argued that Wilzig's racetrack is a "customary accessory use" to his one-family dwelling. On September 18th, the Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to take public comment on Wilzig's plans. All members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate.
- FURTHER READING AND RESEARCH
Additional articles, letters, research and links will be added to this page as they come to our attention.
Click below to see aerial photos of Wilzig Racing Manor:
