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Commissioners postpone decision on ATV access to middle portion of Lake Moxie Road, request field view and more information
Summary
After a presentation from county staff and discussion of safety, need and property-owner impacts, the Somerset County commissioners declined to schedule a public hearing on a Moxie ATV Club request to open a middle three-mile section of Lake Moxie Road, instead asking for an application, a field view and answers on licensing and insurance.
The Somerset County commission considered a request by an ATV club to open roughly three miles in the middle section of Lake Moxie Road to ATV traffic but did not schedule a hearing after commissioners said outstanding questions remained.
The administrator noted he had drafted a standard application and said criteria should include safety, need and property-owner impact. "So that's the reason I'm departing on the application," Speaker 1 said, urging applicants to specify township, road and extent of the requested route.
Commissioners discussed sight-distance standards tied to posted speeds, and that state rules require ATVs to use a four-foot paved shoulder if available or else travel the lane. They also said speed limits are set by DOT and a county could request a DOT speed study. One commissioner asked whether ATV users need a driver's license or vehicle liability insurance on the road; commissioners agreed they wanted those licensing and insurance questions answered before a hearing.
Several commissioners and a presenter described the current trail geometry: the existing ATV route connects both paved ends but forces users onto a county road for a short segment near a trailhead; the middle section being discussed is a bottleneck for riders and is described as difficult to maintain. Speaker 12, summarizing stakeholder input, said a professional trail-builder estimated roughly a $500,000 cost to build a routinely maintainable alternative route.
Commissioners agreed to withhold scheduling a public hearing until: - an official application is submitted; - commissioners can conduct a site "view" of the proposed corridor; and - staff or DOT clarifies licensing, insurance, and safety responsibilities.
The administrator said the commission would likely mail hearing notices to property owners on the proposed stretch and that the commission may use TIF funds or other sources to address needed upgrades if the request moves forward. No formal decision to open the road was made at the meeting.
