Planning panel to adopt state OHV rules, debates map and cruising ban

Ferron City planning and zoning commissioners agreed in a work session to remove overlapping local definitions for off‑highway vehicles and adopt the state's OHV statute by reference while they rewrite local wording on headlights, age supervision and enforcement.

"It says, no ATV shall be operated on city streets past official sundown or before official sunrise and must have working head and tail lights," Commissioner Lawson (a participating commissioner) read aloud from the draft code and used as the basis for rewording the local draft so it reads more clearly that OHVs operating at night must have working headlights and taillights. Lawson pressed staff to replace local definitions with the state code and to bring a redraft back for review.

The panel split over whether to preserve a city map that designates lawful OHV routes. Lawson questioned the need for a static routes map: "I don't know why we need a map," he said, arguing that enforcement and common travel patterns make rigid route lists less useful. Other members said the map helps visitors and preserves historic or utility routes tied to livestock and farm access.

Commissioners also discussed age and supervision rules and whether some items (helmet requirements, training programs) should reference county or state programs. Staff were directed to remove confusing phrasing (for example, the draft's front-loaded 'no' construction for night operation), adopt the state statute by reference in place of local definitions, and circulate a cleaned draft for posting and further comment.