Commission reviews proposed Eldorado Creek easement reroute; neighbors flag commercial use concerns
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Summary
The commission reviewed a site plan for rerouting an Eldorado Creek Trail easement around an existing house and provided feedback on renaturalization and boundary alignment. Neighbors raised concerns about possible commercial snowmachine use of the route; the commission requested more information before taking further action.
Commissioners reviewed a proposed site plan for a trail easement realignment on Eldorado Creek and offered feedback on the route alignment, renaturalization of the old alignment and ensuring access to adjacent lots.
Staff explained the green route on the plan was a combination of the old trail and the proposed reroute to be acquired as a perpetual easement; the red route was a previous alignment that would be donated as a temporary easement to allow construction of the new alignment. Staff suggested renaturalization techniques such as moving cleared material onto the old tread and installing temporary fencing and signage to encourage public use of the new route.
Neighbors raised concerns that a commercial snowmachine tour operator may want to use the route. An email read into the record said in part, "I am writing regarding the site plan for a trail easement... I am deeply concerned," referring to commercial access. Commissioners noted their review was advisory and not an approval of commercial use. Several commissioners asked for additional technical information, including a topographic overlay and confirmation of easement width to ensure the route would not block access to other lots.
Staff clarified that the existing on-the-ground trail does not have an established borough easement in the recorded location and that approval of an easement vacation or purchase would follow separate planning and public-review processes. The commission did not take a formal vote on the map; it asked staff to gather further information on the proposed alignment, confirm exact easement widths and consider whether the proposed C-route should extend to property lines to preserve access for neighboring lots.
Because the trail is in the Comprehensive Recreational Trails Plan, commissioners also noted that any broader questions about commercial operations on borough trails would be more appropriately addressed at future meetings or by the borough and assembly.