Public meeting set to review ATV access

The Township of Clearview will be holding a public meeting on May 24 to review its off-road vehicle bylaw.

The bylaw restricts off-road vehicles on all roads and road allowances south of County Road 9 to the Mulmur border and west of County Road 42 and County Road 124, impacting Creemore and Dunedin.

In September, former council member John Lamers tabled a motion to lift the restrictions in that area to permit ATV travel from properties to approved trails in response to requests from residents for an exemption.

As a result of a roundabout discussion at the council table back in September, staff were directed to initiate public engagement with regard to the proposed exemption.

The discussion of off-road vehicle access has been a hot topic at Clearview council. In 2017 a trans- township route was negotiated allowing riders access to trails in neighbouring municipalities.

When Bill 107, the Getting Ontario Moving Act, was enacted on Jan. 1, 2020 it opened access to all municipal roads unless a bylaw was passed specifically prohibiting their use. That year, Clearview adopted the new rules limiting access in the Creemore and Dunedin area.

The public meeting will be held at the arena in Stayner, located at 269 Regina St., beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, and will be in-person only (no livestream).

Attendees will be invited to ask questions and provide comments to council on the staff’s presentation of three options:

• Do not create a permit structure and maintain status quo by keeping the current off-road vehicle bylaw,

• Permit off-road vehicles in all areas of the township – eliminating the need for special exemptions under a permit structure;

• Look at strengthening the enforcement aspect through amending the bylaw to establish offences and set fines.

The staff presentation is posted at www.clearview.ca/off-road-review.