ARUNDEL – A South Portland developer thought it was a good idea: a special park where people can ride their noisy all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles without disturbing others.

Todd Erickson still holds out hope of making the park a reality even after his proposal was unanimously rejected Tuesday night by the zoning board of appeals in this York County town.

Erickson was seeking to rezone 145 acres of the proposed site now limited to residential use. The zoning board rejected the request, saying the land can’t be used for any for-profit venture.

His lawyer, Neil Weinstein, said his client likely will ask selectmen to rezone the property in the future.

A snowmobile trail already runs through the residential portion of the land, which is off U.S. 1, said Troy Parker, who owns a nursery in the commercial zone. Parker now lets riders use snowmobiles and ATVs on the land for free.

The vote came after almost an hour of questions and comments from neighbors concerned about noise, safety, security, traffic and pollution on the parcel, which abuts several neighborhoods.

Erickson contends the park would help alleviate problems with ATV operators who tear up public lands or trespass on private property.