ATV ban hearing tonight

WASILLA — With opinions over the plan growing in volume, the city of Wasilla’s Planning Commission is set to meet Tuesday evening to talk about possibly banning ATVs in city limits.

“Fifteen years after the 1999 Trails Plan was adopted, motorized uses have become a safety hazard throughout the city to both vehicles and pedestrians; using a significant amount of resources from the Police Department to maintain enforcement and a safe environment,” reads the resolution before the commission that would change the city’s trails plan, its master plan and its ordinances to ban the use of off-road vehicles in city limits.

“I think I have heard more about ATVs and snowmachines than any other issue,” city councilman Brandon Wall wrote in a post on the Mat-Su Valley News discussion group on Facebook.

His post drew 86 comments, and it was far from the first on the topic.

Opinions there ran the gamut from opposition to the ban — “This is Alaska, let people ride!” to support — “It’s about time, there are places to ride safely,” to resignation — “Might as well get it over with.”

The ban applies only to the city of Wasilla. Currently, the city permits the use of ATVs only along a few major corridors. Mayor Verne Rupright said last week that the city has attempted to enforce those rules. People comply for a time but then bad behavior starts to creep back in.

Palmer banned ATV use in city limits more than a decade ago. ATV use would still be legal outside of those cities, where only state rules would apply. State law says their use is OK, as long as they’re not driven on roadways, except to cross them at a 90-degree angle.

If the planning commission chooses to pass the resolution, it would only have the effect of recommending that the city council make those changes. It would then be up to the council to decide.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Wasilla Planning Commission Meeting

WHY: To discuss banning ATVs in city limits.

WHEN: 6 p.m., July 8.

WHERE: Wasilla City Hall, 290 E. Herning Ave.