Oak Grove, Mn.. OHV Ban On Private Property?

[Dave]

I encourage those in and around this northern metro suburb to let their voices be heard at the council meeting.

Here's some info:

ATVAM Alert Subscribers:

----- Original Message -----

From: [email protected]

Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:32 PM

Subject: Oak Grove Close to Implementing Restrictive

Ordanances on OHVs

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Attention Minnesota Recreationists!

CITY OF OAK GROVE CLOSE TO IMPLEMENTING EXTREMELY

RESTRICTIVE ORDINANCES ON OHV USE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY

Tom Umphress, Minnesota Representative for the National

Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC),

forwarded us an important email he got from Pete Urban in

Oak Grove. Tom and Pete needs our help, I have pasted the

email below.

Thanks in advance for your involvement,

Brian Hawthorne

Public Lands Director

BlueRibbon Coalition

208-237-1008 ext 102

__________________________________________________________

ARMCA | Government Relations Officer

From: Pete Urban

Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 9:54 PM

To: Tom Umphress

Subject: Oak Grove, MN Ordinances

Tom,

Thank you again for your assistance. Per our conversation

you were going to send me an ordinance template and notify

the AMA and BlueRibbon orgs to send an alert notice to

members about our Ordinance issue.

We have a Planning Commission meeting scheduled for

Thursday, April 19th @ 7:00 PM. It would be helpful if you

could attend and speak on NOHVCC and AMA perspectives.

(Please note: Oak Grove is usually listed as the city of

Cedar. Most AMA members in our area will have that listed

as their city)

Issue Description:

The City of Oak Grove is close to implementing extremely

restrictive ordinances around OHV use on personal property.

History:

The Oak Grove city council asked the planning commission

members to research complaints and provide a recommendation

to the city council on whether or not to implement these

ordinances. In August of '06 this was up for discussion at

the Planning Commission. A local resident sent flyers

notifying other riders in the area of the meeting. At this

meeting it was suggested by a non-rider that these riders

form a network and try to police themselves as an effort to

resolve the issue. In October the Oak Grove Riders Club was

established. Recent discussions with City officials are

showing that despite any recommendations from the Planning

Commission and the majority of residents submitting letters

and emails, there are still 3 Council members (majority out

of 4), that wish to proceed with extremely restrictive

ordinances. Their focus will not be to limit personal

property OHV riding but to 'ban' it on any form of track.

Club accomplishments to date:

• Provided mediation between two neighbors (rider vs.

non-rider) to work out an acceptable schedule for both

parties.

• Club HSOforum created including rider education page,

links to rider resources, a list of responsible riding

habits, suggestions for conflict management, updates from

City Meetings, guestbook, and Club mission and vision.

http://www.freewebs.com/oakgroveridersclub/index.htm

• Club membership has grown to 60+ members in a 3 month

period.

• Obtained sponsors from local business providing discounts

to Club members on after market quieter than stock exhaust

systems and accessories, discounts on trees for noise/dust

barriers.

• Provided monthly updates on Club accomplishments showing

positive community impact to Planning Commission members.

• Club member volunteers are in process of working with

local elementary school to improve nature trail that runs

through school property.

• Published article in local paper (The Courier)

introducing the Club, it's mission and vision, and provided

rider education tips.

• Established P.O. Box, Registered the Clubs name with Dept

of MN, and obtained MN Identification number to

'legitimize' Club

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Pete and Stacie Urban

22360 Holly St. NW

Oak Grove, MN 55011

(763) 754-4019

***********************************************************

Example ordinance: "No use of any ATV/Dirt bike on any property less than 2 ½ acres"

Sounds pretty extreme to me.

http://www.freewebs.com/oakgroveridersclub/cityordinances.htm