San Bernardino County supervisors could end permit rule for off-roaders

Imran Ghori

Almost four years after San Bernardino County adopted rules restricting off-road vehicle use, the Board of Supervisors is considering loosening the regulations.

The board, at a 1:30 p.m. hearing today, will consider eliminating a requirement that a gathering of 10 or more off-road riders obtain temporary-event permits in advance of the outing.

That provision has turned out to be the most controversial in the 2006 ordinance, which also required off-road riders on private property to have written permission from the property owners and use vehicles that meet state noise standards.

The county has issued only 24 staging permits since the ordinance was adopted, but it has issued more than 2,000 citations for nuisance violations, said Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who asked for the changes.
He said that shows code enforcement officers have been able to address noise, dust and trespassing problems without the staging permit requirement, which he called onerous.

Those seeking a permit must pay a $155 fee, apply 30 days in advance and notify neighbors.

"I highly doubt modifying the staging provision would result in any kind of proliferation of (off-roading) abuse," Mitzelfelt said.

Residents who pressed for the ordinance in response to problems with off-roaders accuse the county of wanting to weaken an ordinance that has proved to be effective.

"We think this is a horrendous idea that will take us backward," said Philip Klasky, a resident of the High Desert community of Wonder Valley and a member of Community ORV Watch. "Since the ordinance has been passed, there have been much fewer conflicts, especially with large groups of riders who come out to our community from outside."

Klasky said the ordinance was the result of several meetings with people representing the different interests. He criticized Mitzelfelt for not doing the same in considering the changes.

Terri Williams, the county code enforcement chief, said off-roaders who trespass or cause noise or dust problems still can be cited under public nuisance codes.

"We don't view it as weakening, we view it as a different way of enforcement," she said.

Off-roaders who feel the permit requirement is too burdensome said the proposed changes make the ordinance more fair.

"It discourages family gatherings on their own private property, which is not what supervisors intended to do when they passed that ordinance," said Ray Pessa, president of Friends of Giant Rock, a Yucca Valley off-roaders group.

Supporters and opponents of the change have been organizing over the last few weeks and are expected to turn out in force for today's hearing.

"This is a huge issue and it's a very emotional issue on both sides," said Kim Carptenter, a Hesperia resident who enjoys off-roading.

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Source: http://www.pe.com/localnews/politics/stories/PE_News_Local_W_noffroad23.48299d1.html

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