| | Scottsdale seeks input regarding trails in Granite Mountain area
Aug 4, 2009Scottsdale, Arizona is plan for a recreational trail system in the Granite Mountain area. A public meeting will be held on August 6, 2009.Aug. 6 meeting to discuss trails uses in Granite Mountain area
July 27, 2009
Contact: Pat Dodds, public affairs officer, (480) 312-2336
SCOTTSDALE SEEKS INPUT REGARDING TRAILS IN GRANITE MOUNTAIN AREA
Scottsdale is considering a plan for operating and maintaining a recreational trail system on more than 10,000 acres of state trust land north of Dynamite Road, and the city wants to hear from people interested in recreational uses and preservation.
A discussion is set at 5 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road (just north of McDowell Road) during a joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission.
The commissions will hear a staff report on the potential for a state land use permit that would give Scottsdale responsibility for the operation and maintenance of recreational trails on the land. A key issue involves the types of recreational uses that the city might restrict on the land, which surrounds the northern Scottsdale landmark of Granite Mountain.
Do you have a comment on this proposal? Send an e-mail to feedback@scottsdaleaz.gov.
The city plans eventually to acquire the property, generally east of Pima Road and north of Dynamite Road, and make it part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. In the meantime, Scottsdale is considering ways the city could limit damage to the landscape, plants and wildlife while continuing to allow public access to some or all of the property.
The State Land Department has allowed non-motorized uses, such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain bike riding and horse riding on the property with the proper permits. The department also has allowed motorized uses, such as off-highway vehicles and jeep tours, with the appropriate permits.
The city last year approved a new state-mandated dust control ordinance prohibiting off-highway vehicles on unpaved surfaces. In the wake of the new ordinances, jeep tour operators and off-highway groups asked the city to consider an interim arrangement that would allow both uses to continue on state trust lands.
The dust control ordinance also led to the cancellation of a previous memorandum of understanding among Scottsdale, the State Land Department and several other entities that dealt with the maintenance of designated trails on the land.
Under a state land use permit, Scottsdale could take on a more specific set of responsibilities for operating and maintaining a trails system in the area, which might include additional restrictions on access to trails.
Under current city ordinances, with a few exceptions, motorized vehicles are banned from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Unless preserve rules change, jeep tours and off-highway vehicles eventually would be prohibited in the area as Scottsdale purchases more land. Non-motorized recreational uses such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and rock climbing are permitted in the preserve and would likely continue to be permitted in the Granite Mountain area.
The city has contacted representatives from various user groups to invite their input. The joint commission meeting is open to the public and the two commissions are inviting public comment. 08/06/09 - Granite Mountain planning meeting Scottsdale seeks input regarding trails in Granite Mountain area - Scottsdale, AZ press release 7/27/09 [details] Granite Mountain Multi-Use Area |
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