Corcoran council weighs $1,500 snowmobile-trail reroute after Bellwether residents raise safety, property concerns

City of Corcoran officials on Monday reviewed a Department of Natural Resources grant and a proposed, short-term reroute of a snowmobile trail near the Bellwether neighborhood after residents and the Northwest Trails Association raised safety and property-value concerns.

Staff said the city has facilitated trails with the Northwest Trails Association since 2006 and noted the group has maintained roughly 140 miles of trails. The current DNR grant award was reported at about $2,997, modestly lower than in prior years. A contractor recently identified a potential reroute through trees on private property to move a trail section farther from new Bellwether homes; staff said property-owner consent is required and indicated the reroute work would cost about $1,500.

The association requested the city cover the unplanned cost via an authorized charitable-gambling expense code (expense code 13), saying the association operates with limited funds. Trail volunteers—identified at the meeting as longtime local stewards—thanked landowners for their cooperation and said the change was a quick, cooperative fix to a last-minute alignment change.

Several Bellwether residents spoke during open forum. Resident Deb Stocchio said the trail now passes much closer to newly built homes, estimated the trail is about 60 feet from her property and roughly 100 feet from her bedroom window, and said she fears a speeding or impaired rider could cross into yards at night. Stocchio also said she was not told about the trail when she purchased her home and expressed concern a trail disclosure would depress resale value. Another resident, Kevin Golden, suggested routing the trail to County Road 116 and County Road 30 to avoid the densest new development but was told by staff that terrain and safety constraints limit options.

Matthew Chimento, introduced at the meeting as president of the Northwest Trails Association, explained that the DNR requires updated trail maps and that the association coordinates enforcement and training with local police and sheriff departments. He said the maps are supported by advertisers and bring winter-business traffic to local establishments.

Councilmembers did not take a final vote on funding at the meeting; staff said the reroute and the association’s request were on the consent agenda and would be considered by council under that item. The council will decide whether to authorize the charitable-gambling expense at a future action point on the agenda.