New designated snowmobile route receives endorsement of planning commission

The Rogers City Planning Commission unanimously recommended a new designated snowmobile route to the Rogers City Council, which has its next regular meeting Monday at 7 p.m. Late last year members of Presque Isle Sno-Trails Club and the city of Rogers City proposed a route within the city limits. The two sides worked together to come up with a plan in a way to give a boost to Rogers City businesses. It was a starting point, something to spark discussion and build upon. For safety reasons brought forth by the Rogers City Police Department and the Department of Public Works, that plan was scrapped. So, Sno-Trails unveiled “Plan B” at Monday’s Rogers City Planning Commission meeting.

AS PART of the session, the commission received public input and heard a presentation from Sno-Trails representative John Houk, who detailed the new proposed route. While there is still no defined snowmobile trail to Rogers City, Sno-Trails and the city are looking ahead to when that occurs. The starting point for the city route is at the intersection of County Road 451 and Airport Road. The trail then travels along the widened US-23 right-of-way to Cedar Street. >From Cedar Street, snowmobilers would make their way to State Street, and then, after a left turn down the hill, they travel to Third Street and the business district.

The proposed route, if approved by council, would end at the parking lots of the Driftwood Motel and Water’s Edge Restaurant and return the same way. “This isn’t for the local people,” said Houk. “This is for somebody who comes in from out of town…and they want food, gas, and lodging. You have to have those three elements, that’s all there is to it.” There was a strong showing of support from local residents at the hearing for a designated route in the city, including a handful of people who helped organize the Antique Snowmobile Show a couple of weeks ago. Many of them also shared their ideas for the best possible trail.

FROM THE Driftwood, “Plan A” would have taken the route through a long stretch of alley between Third and Fourth Street, eventually ending up at the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce. The safety of the alley was one of the main concerns of the city police department and DPW. Fourth Street resident Sally Okerstrom had her reservations about the initial proposal.

“What you people want to do has to be weighed against the rights and the quality of life of the people that live in this town and the safety of this town,” said Okerstrom, who lives along the alley between Third and Fourth Streets. “When I saw the proposed route back in December…I thought that everybody had lost their mind.” Planning commissioner member Chuck Vogelheim said city officials had been concerned about the close proximity of several garages along the alley. Vogelheim also said “The chief of police did not want to see it happen.”

Joseph M. Soncrainte, forest fire officer supervisor from the Department of Natural Resources, was at the meeting and said that visiting snowmobilers need to have a route because once they become familiar with it, “they’ll use it.” He has seen it work in other communities. Soncrainte has been working with Sno-Trails members in their efforts to create loops for snowmobilers in northeast Michigan.

AT THE PRESENT, there are no loops that include Rogers City. The closest a designated DNR trail comes to Rogers City is near the plastics plant six miles south of town. The trail, which is part of the old Lake State Railway railroad grade, deadends near US-23 and Swan River. Getting the trail to Rogers City has been a goal of Houk’s for a number of years, he said, and it could become reality as early as next season with the DNR purchasing the railroad grade that runs through Michigan Limestone Operations, Inc. property last fall.

“Consequently, that’s why they are neg

otiating,” Houk said, “to try and get a right-of-way for a lease agreement, which would let MLO use the railroad grade as it exists, and grant another route through their property, which would basically follow their south property line.” The route on MLO property would steer far away from the limestone hauling trucks. Soncrainte also said there are Homeland Security issues being discussed. “It’s a deep water port. They have explosives there,” said Soncrainte. “They are asking a lot of questions.” Some of which have been directed to the attorney general’s office.

Houk has every confidence the new route to Rogers City will be ready to go next season. Sno-Trails representatives will be ready to get moving on the establishment of the trial when they receive the green light from the DNR.