A Mahoning Township resident has called for a township official to be suspended for hosting a car race on his property.

Carol Etheridge, of Twin Crest Drive, told supervisors on Wednesday that she sent the township an email Oct. 29 regarding a noise complaint.

Etheridge said she was sitting outside her home recently when she heard cars racing nearby and thought it was Mahoning Speedway.

She said she later realized the noise was coming down Breezewood Road, and that it was emanating from the property of Mark Schwalm.

Etheridge said she has since learned that Schwalm serves on the township’s planning commission, and as such, that behavior is inappropriate.

She then requested the board to take action to address the situation by suspending him from the planning commission.

Township zoning officer Paul Jarrett said that in this instance, “Racing cars is not a permitted use.”

Supervisor Ronald Reeser said Schwalm typically hosts one such event yearly on his property.

Reeser said Schwalm hosted over 200 people, a band, and several cars on a track he built on his property.

Etheridge said that the noise from the cars racing was out of hand.

“I understand the band; my complaint isn’t about the band,” she said. “It’s about racing cars.”

Jarret said, “There was never a permit given for something like that.”

Township solicitor Tom Nanovic then gave his recommendation.

“I think the correct thing to do is to have the zoning officer investigate it,” Nanovic said. “It’s tricky when people do things once a year.”

Board Chairman Robert Slaw told Etheridge he didn’t appreciate that coming from a township planning commission member.

“Be assured it was probably a once-a-year thing,” Slaw said.

Etheridge said she understood, but added, “I think it’s a concern.”

In January, supervisors conditionally approved an agreement between the township and Schwalm’s freight shipping trucking company.

Schwalm is the owner of Breezewood Farms LLC, located off Laurel Road in the township. He also owns S&L Landscaping.

That same month, Schwalm was appointed as a member of the township’s planning commission.