ADAMS TWP — Adams Planning Commission conducted a workshop Monday evening to begin establishing ordinances for trails and slopes.

Citing a growing desire for interconnectivity between trails and the community, township leaders and residents indicated the workshop is a good step.

“I thought it was best to extend the conversation,” said Martin McKinney, planning commission chairman. “To try to work through some minutia.”

Clay Morrow, planning commission member, said a trails ordinance would help set documented standards specifically for developers to follow during the planning process.

Ron Olsen, township engineer, said the township has had several developers incorporate trails into housing plans. But in the broader picture, the township hasn't established a long-term plan for trail development. Doing so might help developers and residents moving forward.

“What we want to do is come up with some guidelines,” Olsen said.

There are three types of trails, according to Olsen: paved, aggregate and mulch.

The trails ordinance should reflect circumstances for each type, according to McKinney. McKinney also said the ordinance should consider public accessibility for trails in Homeowners Associations; liability; maintenance; and connectivity to established trailheads.

“Just to develop some type of a plan,” McKinney said. “A long-range plan.”

Rob Crouthamel, a township resident, said the elements surrounding trails might not need to be handled all at once. He suggested the commission break down the process, beginning with deciding what constitutes a trail.

Talks of trails fed into the township's look at a slope ordinance. Adams officials had previously drafted a slope ordinance. Township leaders didn't approve it following disapproval from the public.

“It's time that we start tackling this,” McKinney said. “And come up with something that's enforceable.”

Sean Gallagher, township solicitor, said the original draft could be acceptable with a few revisions. For instance, the ordinance needs to have a core number of feet for acceptable slope length.

Gallagher also suggested the commission revisit pre-established exemptions that would help the township determine immediately if a landowner or developer would need to apply for a grading permit.

Gallagher will present a revised draft of the ordinance to the planning commission in the coming weeks.

McKinney asked Olsen to provide specifications for a trails ordinance. He said he hopes by spring the township is able to pull together guidelines for developers and community leaders.

“Even if it's not a codified document (by then),” McKinney said. “If we keep putting (this) off till tomorrow, we're not going to get there.”