Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsThursday, October 25, 2007 4:24 PM CDT
Comments Comments (6) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Woodford Co. mulls restrictions on off-road vehicles
By J.W. Shults
jwshults@mtco.com
Advertisement

EUREKA -- A dispute among neighbors could result in a Woodford County ordinance restricting the use of dirt bikes, snowmobiles and four-wheelers.

The Woodford County Board is considering a “Motor Vehicle Races and Stunts” ordinance that would limit the ways off-road vehicles could be used.

Zoning Administrator John Hamann said the proposed ordinance is virtually identical to those found in other counties and state statutes regulating motor vehicle races.

The ordinance was proposed after a dispute among neighbors in Spring Bay Township. The office received complaints about Michael McNally’s property along Zimmerman Road near Spring Bay. McNally has an oval mud track in his front yard and neighbors complain of frequent loud noise from a group of off-road racing enthusiasts.

McNally has brought friends and supporters to county board meetings while neighbors have addressed the board seeking resolution.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time we make the effort and are successful in resolving the issues,” said Hamann. “But neighbors are not always going to get along.”

The proposed ordinance would limit racing and stunt events to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and only twice per year. Event organizers would have to obtain a $100 permit from the county as well.

The board declined to approve the ordinance based on concerns about the definition of an event. Board member Tom Evans reasoned that two kids riding dirt bikes with “one wheel off the ground” could qualify as an event.

Board member Marcus Adams said he doesn’t want to adopt an ordinance that will have a county-wide effect when the problem is among neighbors.

“If they are reasonable people they can work this out and we won’t have to adopt this through the whole county,” said Adams.

However, Hamann said that he doesn’t seek out violations but almost all concerns are complaint driven.

“I don’t think it is going to affect your everyday Joe,” said Hamann. “We’re not trying to stop people from enjoying their property for their own personal use. We’re out for those locations that we have repeated nuisance problems that bother their neighbors.”

That balance can be struck by including good definitions of “race track,” “event” and “stunt,” said Hamann.

The county board could see a revised version of the ordinance at its November meeting.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Geez Louise! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 11:59 PM:

" Did anybody actually read the whole article? They DIDN'T pass this ordinance, they just considered it, and it seems that common sense has prevailed for the time being. Perhaps next month they will have a better ordinance. And it really doesn't matter who was there first, you still don't have a right to cause unreasonable noise for your neighbors (and no, working the fields twice a year is not unreasonable). "

Tim wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:26 PM:

" Make noise, not war. "

Legislate Right out of the County wrote on Oct 25, 2007 4:40 PM:

" I don't think the Woodford County Board will rest until they have driven every single citizen out of their county - dirt bikes restrictions, smell from hog farms, noise and light pollution from wind turbines. Oh, and don't even think about putting up a sign - that's taboo too! Or perhaps only for fellow board members! "

Mrs. Sauer Kraut wrote on Oct 25, 2007 3:12 PM:

" The proposed Internet and X box ordinance would limit access to 10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m on Saturdays and only twice per year! "

mike wrote on Oct 25, 2007 2:13 PM:

" interesting how in a free country we cant even have fun with our kids.. i think it would be a good idea to setup a quiet time for the town like we have here.. no noise after dark or set a quiet time like 8:00pm till 8:00 am . i think that is a much better way to control this trouble.. "

Who was first wrote on Oct 25, 2007 2:00 PM:

" Was the dirt track there first... or the complaining neighbors? If the track was first, forget the complaint. They should have known better. Heck... can you believe my neighbor gets this giant motorized machine out of some shed of his and drives it up and down his fields all day. Then a bunch of his family and friends come and drive their trucks there too. There is dust all over the place. Why my cats can barely get their sleep. "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Top of Page | Home | News | Sports | Free Time | Life | Money | Nation/World | Opinion | Blogs/Columns | Archives | Site Map | RSS
Weather | Calendar | Obituaries | Classifieds | Jobs | Autos | Homes | Rentals | Coupons
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2009, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy