Tuesday night the Crowsnest Staging Area Committee approach council, requesting that council repeal Bylaw #722 the bylaw that banned Off Highway Vehicles from the residential area's of the Crowsnest Pass.
To be clear this did not ban them from the Municipality it only banned them from residential area's, basically we took the residential area's of our community and drew a line around them. This still leaves 95% of our municipality open to OHV's, I think we all recognize the importance of OHV's to this area and the amount of dollars that they bring in. We need to promote any kind of economic activity we can here, our business community needs all the help it can get. The only difference between myself and the users of OHV's is that I and a lot of my fellow taxpayers don't want to see them running down our streets.
When this bylaw was passed I was told that it would not change anything (impossible to enforce) and it would have a negative impact, users would see the Crowsnest Pass as a less desirable destination.
In response to those concerns, the RCMP have previously stated that the number of complaints have dropped significantly. And on a personal basis before this bylaw was passed I used to receive 1-2 complaints a week from taxpayers regarding OHV's I have received 2 complaints since the bylaw passed.
Enforcement we were told that Bylaw #722 would be impossible to enforce but within the presentation that was made last night it was suggested that we charge $25 for a plate with the revenue being used to hire an seasonal employee to help enforce a new bylaw, which will again allow riders to go from there home (directly) to the nearest route.
As far as Bylaw #722 making the Crowsnest Pass less of an destination for OHV's in 2007 we received numerous awards for our area, in 2008 after the Bylaw was passed surprisingly we again received numerous awards.
I will add a direct quote from the presentation "There are clear indicators that the Crowsnest Pass is the best ATV and Snowmobile riding area in Western Canada"
Does being unable to ride down our residential street really make that much of a difference?
6 comments:
Please do not allow off road vehicles in residential areas. I live near Sartoris Road and already put up with a few people driving their snowmobiles from their homes to get there (some with a dog on board). I haven't complained yet.
Last Saturday I would have phoned the RCMP about the snowmobiles except it was brought to my attention that there was something going on. Only later did I read in the paper about the special event. Would have been nice to have advance notice.
The noise from the sleds on that Saturday was so annoying. It not only drove me up the wall but my dog too.
I have concerns about, obviously, the noise. But, moreso, the safety of having them on our roads. Last Saturday as I stood at my window watching the people return to town I noticed most of the riders did not stop at the stop sign.
Also, since we do not have sidewalks people have to walk on the road. If someone were walking a dog and a sled went by I'd be worried about the dog's possible reaction to the noise.
Another concern would be the snowmobiler's safety. Alot of people drive large pickups. A sled coming up behind a truck, especially one with a cap, would be difficult if not impossible to see.
I also believe that if people were allowed to ride their sleds on residential streets that the 'quickest way home' would be abused. People will bend the law.
I hope this bylaw remains law. No off road vehicles (of any kind)just makes sense...safety is more important than convenience.
I am in favour of the bylaw. Mostly from an economic standpoint. This bylaw combined with our incredible backcountry can really help set us apart from other areas. Our "Big Draw" here is indeed what surrounds our towns, and we should be working with that. Regulating and enforcing is key. Charging a fee for a plate is perfect especially if it came with a booklet with the rules, regulations, and disclosed the harsh penalties and fines that will be enforced. In respect to the above comment, a licensing program could even improve the current situation by implementing and enforcing additional rules such as speed/noise limit for a Kilometre or so up the satoris. I understand how dangerous, extremely annoying and disrespectful these machines are when they wind them up right beside your home.
Anyhow, I understand the position of those who oppose this bylaw, however I am thrilled that we are revisiting this issue, as I think it would have a significant economic impact on our area by giving us one more tool to attract people, whether weekenders, or permanent residents to our area.
When there is any proven documentation that these vehicles are being designed and built for highway and road use that has been approved by the department of Highways, it will be then that they will to be allowed on public streets. This would mean that the Canadian safety standards set forward for motor vehicles would have to be adjusted to allow this to happen. Does anyone out there actually see that happening?
Until that day, the argument is not only redundant, but pointless as well.
In fact, it would be nice if our council spent time on topics that matter to the community like the cost overruns that are always being set forward by our town maintenance department. Like the allowing of fridges and freezers to be automatically picked up without a permit being issued. Not only has this spring and fall clean-up been an exercise in tax dollars wasted, but to black eye the taxpayer by having the maintenance department go over budget on a "perk" is insane. There is also the matter of having lunch back at the shop when some of the areas that are being worked at are over 10 miles from it. 5 hrs work for 8 hours pay, the world doesn't operate like that any more because it can't afford to.
If council wants credit given to it from it's taxpayers, It will have to explore what the rest of the world has already discovered..., that "Axes have to fall" in the places that need chopping. Issues like the Center are minor compare to what's really going on here. Remember that this is a very small town that has all brand new garbage trucks owned by a "contractor". Seems there needs to be an adjustment somewhere...,HMMM?
Response to some of the comments posted.
The OHV isuue was presented to Council we did not pursue this.
The Crowsnest Centre is not the only issue council is dealing with, I know some of the media try to create that perception but its not.
As far has making the municipal operation more efficient. That is going to happen weather some of the politicians like it or not. We are looking at a tax increase this year again. The problem is that it will take a 4% increase in taxes just to satisfy the CUPE wage increase for 2009 ($240,000). So yes council will be forced to cut back on some of the "perks" that we have had for a long time.
If we had cut out some of these "perks" four five years ago today we would have some money in reserves.
The cleanup for this year is projected at almost $160,000. Do I think its unreasonable in this day and age to expect people to get rid of there own garbage? No
The garbage contract unfortunatly when it was tendered out we only had one bidder and yes a number of companies were contacted to see if they would be interested.
It would make bargaining a contract a lot more favourable for the taxpayer if there was more than one choice.
Its so interesting that the OHV bylaw is being praised for its "economic" benefits without the slightest bit of evidence to back that up. Thats what we need in the Pass is more Rules! Right lads! For some reason people think that rules will get rid of the idiots in the Pass. Guess what people...they will be here long after you are gone.
Further to my first point. If anyone actually took the time to properly study the OHV issue and didn't just throw mud, they would realize the huge economic sector we are totally missing. Look up Quebec and Ontario ATV towns. You will be surprised the millions these towns take in on only a "seasonal" basis. Wake up people! While you waste your time fighting over what street one can't ride down, money is flying out the window. Anybody can go anywhere to any municipality and get ticketed and harassed. Whats the big deal about driving a few blocks to the forestry? The idiots who drive with no respect will always be around. As someone else said, proper enforcement of a reasonable law is the key. Lets lose all this opportunity because the Pass wants to become snobish and fancy. Thats what most people came here to get away from. If you want snobish go to Calgary or Lethbridge. Lots of "exclusive" neighborhoods there where even the slightest bird tweeting can be bylawed to death! Allowing ATV's to drive to a Hotel or a restaurant would be something that would bring in more money for the community than you could ever imagine, especially if it was properly advertised in the right periodicals and media. Heck youtube is free! If I remember right realtors used to advertise the fact you could drive right from your garage to the forestry to help sell a property. Does that not say something?
"The big draw being the area that surrounds the towns" is completely correct. But as usual this is also ignored and under utilized. Instead we log to hell with an excuse its for the pine beetle. A complete lie by the way. Have any of you actually looked at the devastation by Crowsnest Mountain? What about Star Creek? Go past the falls another kilometer and see what you find. I am afraid big business owns the forest service and the municipality has no care for what is past the road in the timber. That is the reality. My prediction is that nothing will change in the Pass. Stupid is as stupid does. Don't try banging your head against the wall, its pointless. Move somewhere else.
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