More room to roam for rec vehicles in Ramsey

Snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles have gotten the preliminary go-ahead to expand their range in Ramsey, and might even bring some business to a few Town Center shops, officials say.

The City Council voted 5 to 2 this week to loosen a five-year-old ordinance that limits such vehicles to about a third of the city, north of a line that runs along 167th Avenue and west to Elk River.

The new rules would allow the used of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and similar vehicles on designated trails along Hwy. 10 between Elk River and Armstrong Boulevard and then north on Armstrong, said Police Chief Jim Way. He said a spur would extend east on Hwy. 10 from Armstrong to Pro Power Sports, which sells recreational vehicles and equipment.

The changes also would allow residents to use recreational vehicles on their land in the southern, restricted-use zone if they own at least an acre, said Mayor Bob Ramsey.

The revised rules will get a second reading Sept. 22 and, if passed again, will be published in the local paper and take effect Oct. 25, said City Clerk Jo Thieling.

Ramsey, the mayor, said he asked for ordinance changes because, when he was campaigning for office last year, residents told him they wanted more snowmobile areas. More snowmobiling was allowed before 2004, when the current rules were adopted, Ramsey said.

The two nay votes on the changes were cast by Council Members John Dehen and Colin McGlone.

"You don't want some kid to get on a motorcycle and drive it around the yard for three hours," Dehen said. The changes are likely to result in more resident calls about vehicle noise and damage along city right of way in resident yards, Way said.

Ramsey said that if problems surface, the ordinance can be revisited.

The mayor noted that snowmobilers and other recreational vehicle riders would be able to stop at a coffee shop and other stores at Armstrong and Sunwood Drive, and next year at a nearby new Acapulco restaurant. The city has just negotiated a deal to reduce sewer and water access charges to attract the Acapulco restaurant and bar into a large, vacant space, Ramsey said. Acapulco expects to start customizing the space in January and open May 1, he said.

The ordinance defines recreational vehicles as snowmobiles, off-road motorcycles, mini-bikes, go carts, all-terrain and similar motorized vehicles. Users of such vehicles also must obey applicable state laws, one of which bars snowmobiles or ATVs from being driven in ditches from April 1 to Aug. 1.

The city ordinance says snowmobilers can ride on designated trails off their own property from Nov. 1 to March 31 if there is at least 6 inches of snow. They can also ride on other private property with written permission.

Ramsey said he lives in the northern part of Ramsey where snowmobiling has been permitted, and so he isn't affected by the revisions.

He said he bought a snowmobile last year and has no ATV.