After rejection by the Haines Borough Planning Commission in February, plans for a motorized recreation area in the townsite have resurfaced at the urging of assembly member George Campbell.
The assembly on Tuesday introduced plans for creation of a 20-acre motorized recreation area near the Lily Lake access road.
The assembly will hold a public hearing on Campbell’s proposal at its Sept. 23 meeting.
Campbell, who proposed the idea last winter, said he would like the assembly to designate no less than 20 acres of borough land near the landfill and Lily Lake access road as “motorized recreational use.” The area would have direct access to the clearing at the end of FAA Road.
The planning commission roundly panned the idea of creating a motorized recreation park in the townsite during a February meeting, calling the proposal “crazy.” However, the assembly sent the topic back to the planning commission, stating it wanted the commission to at least identify areas in the townsite that might be suitable for such a project.
At a March meeting, commissioner Robert Venables moved that industrial areas in the townsite near Jones Point and Lutak Inlet could be considered. The motion also said if the assembly wanted to pursue the matter further, it should send it to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Heather Lende said in an interview Wednesday she was “puzzled” and “discouraged” by the assembly’s decision to ignore the commission’s comments and recommendations. Lende said there hasn’t been public support for the idea, and Campbell is just pursuing his personal ambitions.
“What’s the point (of being on the planning commission) if all you have to do is get on the borough assembly and you can get anything you want for your own private recreational use at the expense of the rest of the community?” Lende said. “There has been no groundswell of community ATV riders asking for a place to go.”
The area near the Lily Lake access road is a very popular walking, snowshoeing and mountain biking spot and isn’t compatible with a motorized use zone, Lende said. Lende also pointed out the land in that area could be highly valuable to the borough.
“It makes very little sense to me to turn it into a gravel pit for zooming around on ATVs when that’s just not the highest and best use for that property,” she said.
In an Aug. 29 email to nearly a dozen people, Campbell urged supporters of the motorized recreation area to turn out at an assembly meeting or write letters to assembly members.
“There have been mixed reviews by many groups. Without the support of users it will not happen,” Campbell wrote.
Campbell also coached supporters on “talking points” they might include in their communications to the assembly, including “families could have an area close to town to recreate after work and before bed time,” “people from other communities will be attracted to visit,” “possible economic impacts with folks needing parts and repairs,” and “community recreational opportunities year-round.”
Resident Patty Campbell, an avid ATV and snowmachine user, said she would use the motorized recreation area if it is created.
“I just think it would be nice to have something close to town for people who aren’t able to drive out the highway,” she said. “The state has rules where you can’t ride on state roads, so there needs to be a place where people can go.”
A motorized recreation area would also allow older users to teach younger users about mechanics, safety and other aspects of snowmachining and ATV-riding, she said.
“The motorized area should be used as looking to the future of Haines by being in the equation of health, safety and education,” Patty Campbell said.
George Campbell also referenced the assembly’s December decision to designate a stretch of Chilkat River beach from River Road to Carr’s Cove as non-motorized, insinuating the closure was indicative of future restrictions.
“As we develop more neighborhoods throughout the valley, all uses will be scrutinized. Nationwide, motorized use has been limited by all agencies, reducing the areas of allowed use to a fraction of what was open 20 years ago,” Campbell said. “Please consider the people wanting to take their children riding in 20 years, and ask where they will be able to use their machines. Having one area set aside now will ensure that there will be one place motorized users can recreate.”