No ATVs in North Ogden -- maybe

Rachel J. Trotter

NORTH OGDEN -- Last year, when the Legislature passed a law stating all-terrain vehicles that have been made street-legal could be driven on city streets, Allan Dalpias went to work to make his ATV comply.

Once he went through the lengthy process, though, he found that cities must pass an ordinance allowing the ATVs on city streets.

Dalpias, who sits on the city's planning commission, recently approached the council about passing such an ordinance, but the idea was rejected.

At the most recent city council meeting and after some residents have come forward, Councilman Ron Flamm asked to hold a public hearing to see if other residents want to allow street-legal ATVs on city roads.

After Dalpias made a detailed presentation, other residents spoke about his idea, saying it is a good one.

Dalpais said the state has strict laws -- very similar to laws pertaining to motorcycles -- to make ATVs legal, and that the convenience of getting the ATVs to the mountains from a North Ogden driveway would be great.

He said licensing kits are readily available to make ATVs street-legal.

Among the state restrictions is that ATVs cannot be driven on certain roads, such as arterial or collector roads, which are the roads most heavily traveled, meaning that if ATV drivers lived on one of those roads, they would be in direct violation of the law just pulling out of their driveway.

"I'm just wondering how much of a headache that is going to be for our police," Councilman Wade Bigler said.

"I'm for less government unless it comes to safety." He said making it legal for ATVs to be driven on city streets would be unsafe.

Police Chief Polo Afuvai agreed.

"I do not have any problems with ATVs. I do believe they have a place. I think they belong in the hills," he said.

The city is growing rapidly, and Afuvai said he believes the combination of speed, traffic and congestion with an ATV is just too much to handle.

"The tires are adapted to dirt, rock and debris," he said.

The city does allow for legalized ATVs for agricultural purposes, but most of those never go at high speeds, Afuvai said.

Afuvai also pointed out that most of the hills accessible through North Ogden are private property and can't be used for public transport to more riding areas, anyway. He also thinks it would have a trickle-down effect.

"Who knows, maybe in a couple years, we'll have a golf course and people will want to be riding their golf carts on city streets," Afuvai said.

Resident Nick McIntosh said he thinks if the city had a public hearing, others would step forward and want to make their ATVs street-legal.

"Right now, as soon as you hit the power lines, you can ride and we could go to Idaho or Monte Cristo directly from North Ogden," McIntosh said.

"I just think North Ogden would be a perfect fit for this."

Dalpias said that, technically, ATVs can be driven on the North Ogden Divide, which would be a good way to get to riding areas if the council were to decide to approve the street legality of ATVs.

The next step in the petition process would be for the council to have a public hearing.

"At this time, I would not be in favor of proceeding with a public hearing," said Councilwoman Martha Harris.

Flamm said he didn't think it would be a bad idea for the city to look into the regulations passed by the state and see how it would work in North Ogden.

"I just don't know if there are enough positive gains," said Councilman Brent Taylor.

He believes passing such an ordinance would leave many variables that would be unsafe, such as driving on sidewalks and curbs and youths driving.

Flamm said, "I just think we should start the process of a public hearing," but no date was set for one.

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Source: http://www.standard.net/topics/atv/2010/06/02/no-atvs-north-ogden-maybe

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