When the Town Council meets Thursday, it will consider a change to the McDowell Mountain Preserve master plan to include a new trail.

The Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills has asked to add a new loop trail off the Sonoran Trail.

The planned trail would extend about two miles from the Sonoran Trail at the town’s northwest boundary and reconnect with the trail just north of the intersection with the Promenade Trail.

The trail would run along the face of the McDowells between the Sonoran Trail above and the boundary with private property in the Eagles Nest subdivision.

There would also be a couple of spur trails that would connect the existing Sonoran Trail with the proposed new East Sonoran Trail Loop.

Sonoran Conservancy officials believe this addition to the trail system will enhance the experience for hikers who want to loop back rather than simply backtrack on the same trail.

The staff report to the council states, “Loops are much preferred by hikers as they offer more choices of routes.?

Bill Craig, who leads the Sonoran Conservancy Trailblazers, will make a presentation to the council.

MCO President Jeremy Hall asked town staff to meet with residents of Eagles Nest to hear neighborhood concerns.

A meeting was held with property owners on Oct. 29, and a follow-up letter was sent to residents and the HOA on Nov. 9.

In that letter the town has committed to the following stipulations regarding construction to mitigate residents’ concerns.

*Move the trail back from the property lines to 300 feet rather than the originally proposed 200 feet.

*Provide barriers at the current Jeep road points being used by vehicles for access, including off-road vehicles (ORVs).

*Install signs at these areas to notify people that they are trespassing beyond that point.

*Place additional signs at key points along the trail near Eagles Nest that trespassing is illegal and punishable by law enforcement.

*Build the proposed trail at a width of just two feet to discourage the use of ORVs.

As with all trails in the Preserve, it would be constructed at little or no cost to the town by trained volunteers with the Conservancy Trailblazers group.

The council agenda for this week also includes consideration of a proposed replat for the site where the MorningStar assisted living facility is being built. This item has been postponed on three earlier occasions.

The council will also consider amendments to the Tax Code for the Town of Fountain Hills. These changes would be made to keep the town code consistent with the state tax code.

The council will meet on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. The session is open to the public.