JWW
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Apr 13, 2000
- 2,529
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This is just down the road from Beaumont. I assume if it goes Beaumont will follow.
Off-road ban is sought
CALIMESA: The City Council asks for an ordinance allowing seizure of vehicles.
12:28 AM PDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2004
By KARIN MARRIOTT / The Press-Enterprise
CALIMESA - Off-roaders could lose their ATVs, dirt bikes and other vehicles if they are caught riding on open land within city limits.
In an effort to reduce fire danger, the City Council on Monday directed city staff to create an emergency ordinance that calls for seizing and selling off-road vehicles used on open land and hillsides during drought and high fire seasons. The council will consider the ordinance at its June 7 meeting.
Councilwoman Joyce McIntire said she supported an ordinance that would ban off-roading in the city year-round.
"We've got a lot of illegal off-roading going on in Calimesa," Councilman Jon Winningham said in a phone interview before the meeting. "Not only does it wreck the terrain and the eco system there, but it's also a fire hazard ... If this is what it takes to get them to acknowledge that there's other public here besides them, that they have to ... be respectful of the high fire area ... then that's what it takes."
The Planning Commission recommended the emergency ordinance to the council. Commissioners were concerned that sparks from off-road vehicles could touch off a wildfire given the dry conditions.
Off-roaders currently are allowed to ride on privately owned open land in Calimesa with written approval from the property owner.
Under the proposed ordinance, all off-roading would be prohibited within city limits during drought and high fire season. If someone were caught violating the ordinance, off-road vehicles would be seized and sold. The money would be used for local fire training or to purchase firefighting equipment, according to city documents.
Acting City Manager George Hansen said the proposed ordinance would mirror one already in effect for unincorporated Riverside County.
Morris Bean, captain at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Calimesa station, said before the meeting that off-road vehicles do present a fire danger.
"Most fires are human caused, so if you keep the people out of the area then chances are you'll reduce the fire starts," he said by phone.
Reach Karin Marriott at (909) 846-2303 or kmarriott@pe.com
Off-road ban is sought
CALIMESA: The City Council asks for an ordinance allowing seizure of vehicles.
12:28 AM PDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2004
By KARIN MARRIOTT / The Press-Enterprise
CALIMESA - Off-roaders could lose their ATVs, dirt bikes and other vehicles if they are caught riding on open land within city limits.
In an effort to reduce fire danger, the City Council on Monday directed city staff to create an emergency ordinance that calls for seizing and selling off-road vehicles used on open land and hillsides during drought and high fire seasons. The council will consider the ordinance at its June 7 meeting.
Councilwoman Joyce McIntire said she supported an ordinance that would ban off-roading in the city year-round.
"We've got a lot of illegal off-roading going on in Calimesa," Councilman Jon Winningham said in a phone interview before the meeting. "Not only does it wreck the terrain and the eco system there, but it's also a fire hazard ... If this is what it takes to get them to acknowledge that there's other public here besides them, that they have to ... be respectful of the high fire area ... then that's what it takes."
The Planning Commission recommended the emergency ordinance to the council. Commissioners were concerned that sparks from off-road vehicles could touch off a wildfire given the dry conditions.
Off-roaders currently are allowed to ride on privately owned open land in Calimesa with written approval from the property owner.
Under the proposed ordinance, all off-roading would be prohibited within city limits during drought and high fire season. If someone were caught violating the ordinance, off-road vehicles would be seized and sold. The money would be used for local fire training or to purchase firefighting equipment, according to city documents.
Acting City Manager George Hansen said the proposed ordinance would mirror one already in effect for unincorporated Riverside County.
Morris Bean, captain at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Calimesa station, said before the meeting that off-road vehicles do present a fire danger.
"Most fires are human caused, so if you keep the people out of the area then chances are you'll reduce the fire starts," he said by phone.
Reach Karin Marriott at (909) 846-2303 or kmarriott@pe.com
