ATV bylaw revised and passed
After months of discussion which at times became quite heated, and gave rise to a citizen lawsuit alleging conflict of interest, Clearview Council has finally passed its controversial ATV bylaw.
The original motion put forward by Councillor John Broderick in July called for ATV access to all Clearview Township roads. According to Deputy Works Director, Dan Perreault, the draft bylaw was amended to restrict access to environmentally sensitive areas in the protection of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, and also to remove access to road allowances where a vehicle cannot reasonably be driven.
At its Oct.26 meeting, council adopted three more amendments. These add the following to the list of roads/road allowances where ATV traffic is prohibited:
The area south of County Road 9 to the Mulmur-Nottawasaga Townline, from County Road 42 west to County Road 124 (including Creemore and Avening).
The 12/13 Sideroad West of Concession 6 and the 6th Concession North of 12/13 Sideroad (in the area of Riverside Drive).
The 30/31 Sideroad Road Allowance from the 6th Concession West to County Road 124 (South of Collingwood Regional Airport).
Two additional amendments which would have restricted ATVS on Centre Line Road from the Mulmur-Nottawasaga Townline to 18/19 Sideroad and 3/4 Sideroad from Hogback Road to Sunnidale Concession 6 were defeated.
Councillor Thom Paterson argued for inclusion of specific language in the bylaw governing rules of the road for ATVs, such as a requirement to drive on the shoulder where possible. Township staff pointed out that such matters are covered by existing provincial regulations, and inclusion in the township bylaw could render it irrelevant in the event of changes to provincial legislation. Paterson also requested that staff review the need for additional OPP enforcement as a result of implementation of the new bylaw, but it was agreed that this should be addressed as part of budget deliberations.
***NOTE*** the map in The Creemore Echo dated Oct. 30 did not show all of the amended areas.
