Commission to discuss ATV ordinance

The Town of Belgium Plan Commission is expected to discuss what has become a controversial proposed ordinance that would allow all-terrain and utility-task vehicles on roads with 35 mph speed limit or slower when it meets Wednesday, Sept. 23.

This time, just three selected people will be addressing the commission, including someone from the Department of Natural Resources. Commission members will then debate the merits of the request by the Lakeshore ATV/UTV Club, unlike the last meeting in August when only club members and the public made their case to the commission. Due to a large turnout, that meeting was held in Community Park in Belgium. More than 80 people attended.

While the pleas were passionate, the meeting didn’t turn into a yelling match, which Tom Winker, the Plan Commission chairman and town chairman, warned he would not allow.

“I thought it went exceptional. People respected other people’s opinions,” Winker said at last week’s Town Board meeting. “We had a nice discussion. At the end of the night, we left as friends and neighbors.”

The proposal would allow ATVs and UTVs on Jay Road, Sauk Trail Road, Silver Beach Road, Cedar Beach Road, Lake Church Road, Six Mile Road and portions of other roads, according to a map submitted by the club.

Under the proposed ordinance, they could only operate on the paved portions of roads but must stay to the “extreme right” unless making a left turn. Groups would be required to ride in single file.

Riders younger than 18 would be required to wear helmets. Operators younger than 16 must be “in direct verbal supervision of a parent or legal guardian” while driving an ATV or UTV.

Club members said the ordinance is intended to benefit people who live in the area. Club membership is mostly made up of people 50 and older who want to visit family, friends and amenities in the town such as cemeteries and the transfer site.

Opponents say the ordinance would open the town up to anyone who wants to use the roads and that the vehicles aren’t designed for road use.

Next week’s Plan Commission meeting is at 7 p.m. back at Town Hall, 171 Main St.

Winker said the commission is a long way from making a recommendation to the Town Board.