Platteville council removes ATV restriction from Second Street

The Platteville Common Council voted unanimously May 26 to amend chapter 38 of the municipal code and remove Second Street (East Pine Street to East Furnace Street) from the city's list of streets where ATVs and UTVs are prohibited.

Council members said the change is intended to simplify traffic flow and reduce confusion for visitors. Andrea, a police department staff member, told the council the police reviewed the traffic map and recommended the change 'for ease and for people coming from out of town' so the routing "just makes a little more sense at this point in time to remove that." She also reminded the council that the city's ordinance still bans ATV/UTV operation between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and enforces requirements such as a valid driver's license and insurance when these vehicles operate on public streets.

Brian Wisnap moved to amend the code by removing section 38.175A3 that prohibited ATV operation on the specified stretch of Second Street; Lynn Parrot seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous: Kathy Cop, Tony McFall, Barbara Doss, Bob Gates, Brian Wisnap, Lynn Parrot and Steven Badger all voted yes.

Council members asked whether the city had seen accidents tied to ATVs; Andrea said the city had not encountered any significant incidents since the ordinance was implemented and that the approach has combined enforcement with public education. The council did not place additional restrictions on the change, instead relying on existing time-of-day and equipment requirements.

The ordinance amendment took effect following the council's vote.

What happens next: Staff will implement permit and enforcement language as necessary and monitor how the change affects traffic and safety in the corridor.