JEFFERSON TWP — A proposed racetrack on Neupert Road is stuck in neutral until the developer cuts through more red tape.

Developer Brett Neupert, who discussed the racetrack at Thursday's township planning commission meeting, must meet numerous conditions before the commission will move the plan forward to the township supervisors.

Along with fulfilling township requirements, such as a stormwater management plan, Neupert has to meet with state Department of Transportation officials to discuss possible traffic impact to nearby Route 356 and Winfield Road, which are both state roads.

He also has to gain approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection for the quarter-mile track, which will host races of smaller vehicles such as Micro-Sprints and be located on his parents' 40-acre farm.

While most of the requirements appear to be formalities, one township condition has become a bone of contention. Neupert argued he shouldn't be required to build a bathroom with sewage for a racetrack that will have no permanent structures, only free-standing bleachers.

"It's almost like I'm being singled out," he said.

Evelyn Gross, chairwoman of the planning commission, said the company Code.Sys Code Consulting, which handles township code enforcement, determined a bathroom is necessary to meet state law.

"We will go by what they say," Gross said.

Neupert said he would spend the $2,000 fee to appeal the decision.

"I don't have any choice," he said.

Before Neupert can do that, he must acquire a letter from Code.Sys stating what so far has been only a verbal stipulation.

Neupert expressed frustration about the numerous hoops he must jump through to move forward.

"Every meeting I come to, something pops up," he said.

Danielle Sedlak, planning commission member, said she understood Neupert's plight.

"I sincerely understand your frustration," she said.

Sedlak urged Neupert to meet with the various entities involved to resolve outstanding issues.

Neupert has until February to meet all conditions and obtain site plan approval from the supervisors or be forced to resubmit a new plan, starting the entire application process from scratch.

Gross reiterated the township must approve Neupert's plan if he meets every condition because Jefferson has no zoning ordinance.

Resident Bob Corbett, co-founder of the Stop the Racetrack Coalition and a neighbor of the development site, complained Neupert's plan continues to change, making it hard to know for certain what the developer plans.

Sedlak defended the evolution of the plan, saying all developments are altered before they're finalized.

"I would fully expect his plans to change," she said.

Corbett said a petition opposing the racetrack now has 264 names.

"I'll get a thousand if I have to," he said.

Neupert challenged the validity of the petition, saying some people listed are not township residents and claiming that one name was forged.

In response to the Stop the Racetrack Coalition, other residents have formed The Raceway Family in support of the project.