By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A local snowmobile enthusiast group has been given the go-ahead to tweak its official route once winter weather fully takes form.
Representatives of the Whitewater Sno Seekers organization recently asked for authority to amend the official route, which includes stretches near such city-owned properties as the Whitewater University Technology Park and the Whitewater Innovation Center.
The proposal was discussed at a recent Community Development Authority meeting, which has oversight of land near the technology park and innovation center.
CDA Executive Director Dave Carlson said he met with representatives of the group to get an understanding of its wishes.
The tweaked route will include use of vacant land near the venues. New stretches of the route will run east of Howard Road and continue east of the Generac facility.
“I personally don’t see any problem with it,” Carlson said as he discussed the proposal at the CDA’s most recent meeting Nov. 15. “What we’re basically granting is an easement.”
Council member James Allen, who sits on the CDA, said the Sno Seekers are a reputable group and recommended proceeding with the request.
“These are people who appreciate and keep relationships with the city and the farmers and the land they use,” Allen said. “They’re well behaved.”
City Manager Cameron Clapper echoed similar sentiments. In prior years, Clapper said his office has handled the agreement with the Sno Seekers, which runs throughout city-owned land.
“We’ve had a good relationship with them,” Clapper said.
The CDA’s support did come with a caveat — if a developer came forward and wished to build on the vacant land housing the amended route, the Sno Seekers would have to adhere to further changes.
“This is for one year,” Carlson said. “It’s not a permanent fix.”
