Residents raise trail and outreach concerns as Fairfield reviews general plan

Fairfield residents urged commissioners on Dec. 4 to make the town’s general plan clearer about proposed trail routes and to widen outreach to landowners before the plan is finalized.

During public comment, Speaker 2 said the open-house mapping produced “skewed results” because many participants were not town residents or landowners, and several attendees said maps posted online made proposed routes look permanent rather than conceptual. Resident Brenda expressed concern that a trail shown on the plan appeared to cut through her private parcel west of the cemetery; commissioners and staff replied that the general plan is a concept only and that any trails would be routed along roads or property boundaries and implemented only as development or easements allow.

Commissioners agreed on clearer map language and additional public outreach. Speaker 7 proposed mailing a detailed questionnaire to residents and landowners and holding further open houses so feedback better represents those most affected. Speaker 4 and others said the town should explicitly mark online maps as “proposed” and avoid conveying definitive routes that could alarm landowners.

The discussion also touched on balancing stakeholder input: several commissioners noted important economic stakeholders, such as the local airpark, but emphasized that residents should have the final say on land-use direction. The commission asked staff to return with revised outreach materials and clarified map graphics ahead of future public events.

The meeting record shows the commission closed public comment and moved on to regular business after these items.