Special trails system in LeRay is planned

EVANS MILLS — A Pennsylvania developer wants to turn 60 acres into an off-road, four-wheel-drive vehicle trail system in the town of LeRay.

The LeRay Planning Board heard Adam J. Kokinda's plan Thursday night and decided it would be best to proceed slowly with the proposal because it was the first time they had heard of such a development.

Mr. Kokinda, Harrisburg, Pa., told the board he wanted to open a club-based, off-road park on a 60-acre plot of land on Route 11 just north of Route 26. He originally came to the board in 2007 with plans to build a driving range on the property and has since opened Indian River Golf Links in Philadelphia.

"I'm trying to give an outlet for this area with planned trails and for something other than riding around farmers' backyards," he said during the meeting.

The club would be open only to four-wheel-drive road vehicles and not to all-terrain vehicles, motocross bikes or snowmobiles. Mr. Kokinda said that there would be no night operation and that there is a possibility the park would operate all year long.

The board was less concerned with his business model and wanted to know the impact on the environment and the surrounding residents. The 60 acres is in an agricultural district that borders Route 11 and has residents on either side of the property. There is also a trout stream that runs through the property and the board questioned what kind of permits and licenses he would need to operate the business.

"The environmental and noise impact is what I'm concerned with," said Larry G. Covell, a Planning Board member. "Will this be compatible with the next-door neighbor? That's where I see the planning needs to be done."

Jerry D. Hobbs, another Planning Board member, wanted to see a specific layout of the trails, saying it was necessary before the board could proceed with any kind of site plan review. Another board member, Alan R. Cameron, wanted to know about insurance, club management and what kind of safety precautions would be taken.

Town engineer Kris D. Dimmick told the board about permits that would be needed from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and the design of a water pollution management system and drainage plan to protect the habitat from contamination.

Mr. Kokinda said he was basing his business model on that of Rausch Creek Off-Road Park in Tremont, Pa. The park would be membership-based with annual dues. He said that it would operate like a hunting club, and that he thinks members would police the use of the land themselves.

"By having the club, people will take pride in the property," he said. "People do this all around here anyway. I'm just trying to organize it and keep it safe."

The board made no decision on the plans Thursday night and expect Mr. Kokinda to return at the next meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 1.