The Enduro Motorcycle saga that gripped the community of Kasson Township is over. At least for now.
Last month Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer ruled in favor of Kasson Township during a zoning battle to prevent applicants James Schettek, Bill Kasben, and Fran Seymour from seeking a Special Use Permit (SUP) to host public races from Schettek’s property.
“All I can say is it’s disappointing for those of us who work to preserve and save properties and give kids and families a place to enjoy. It’s a big disappointment,” Schettek said.
Schettek, the largest landowner in that area of Kasson Township, says the family will continue riding motor bikes with friends and family privately on their property despite the result, although they won’t be having any sanctioned events.
Nearly 200 people gathered in 2023 for a special meeting in one of the largest Kasson Township meetings in recent memory.
The property is currently zoned agricultural, with parcels located at the northeast corner of East Kasson Road and South Bright Road.
Originally, the race hoped to host 100 to 200 riders on a single-track, time-trial race. They were hoping to have at least one event per year.
“Everything takes time and what we wanted to do is create a place for families and kids to go to ... Other people disagree and that’s the type of people who move into our county and township,” Schettek said.
Schettek admits that selling various properties over two decades ago which led to an influx of residences in the area, was maybe a mistake.
“I should have said ‘no’ to splitting these properties and letting these people move in and build,” he said.
Schettek’s plan for the event was to help veterans. He still plans to help veterans in the meantime by allowing them to hunt on his property.
Schettek, who pays taxes on a huge swath of land in Kasson Township, is constantly thinking about what options he has with it.
The opposition that played a large part in quelling the project is formally known as Kasson Township Neighborhood Association (KTNA).
“We are grateful for Judge Elsenheimer’s decision. This affirms the zoning ordinance of Kasson Township and the wishes of the Kasson Township Neighborhood Association,” said Mike Verschaeve, a cofounder of KTNA.
