‘We realize that was too stringent’: council drops proposed ATV riding ban in Princeton

Princeton council has agreed to amend the proposal to put a complete ban on all-terrain vehicles within the town after a strong show of support from those opposing the bylaw.

About 200 residents showed up to Monday’s town council meeting, many voicing their disagreement with the proposed bylaw that would have seen all-terrain vehicles prohibited within the jurisdiction, even on private property.

Just under 2,000 signatures were collected on a petition, led by Princeton resident and ATV enthusiast Ed Vermette.

WATCH BELOW: Residents fight proposed ATV riding ban in Princeton

2:31 Residents fight proposed ATV riding ban in Princeton

Vermette made a presentation to town council in what the mayor said was Vermette’s first time approaching council face-to-face.

“I’ve been trying for over a year to have them come forward and meet and try to resolve these differences that exist,” Princeton mayor Frank Armitage said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've been trying for over a year to have them come forward and meet and try to resolve these differences that exist," Princeton mayor Frank Armitage said.

Armitage heard the message loud and clear from Princeton and Area H residents who attended the meeting that a complete ban on riding ATVs in the community is not the most favourable decision.

“We will not govern private property in town… we realize that was too stringent so we made a change,” Armitage said.

“The real key is that people want to be able to get from Osprey Lake to Tullameen [on an all-terrain vehicle] and we are going to do everything we can to accommodate that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The real key is that people want to be able to get from Osprey Lake to Tullameen [on an all-terrain vehicle] and we are going to do everything we can to accommodate that."

In 2011, a restriction was put in place for all-terrain vehicles on the approximately four kilometre section of KVR trail that runs through the jurisdiction. The mayor said that initial prohibition was put in place due to safety concerns from members of the public walking along the trail.

The recently proposed and now struck down bylaw that would have seen a complete ban on riding all-terrain vehicles in the community was brought forward as a way to enforce the initial restriction put in place in 2011 and to deal with noise complaints from residents complaining about loud ATVs.

The mayor said he now plans to strike a committee that will represent all interested parties to come up with a viable solution, which could mean that all terrain vehicles might even be allowed to ride on the KVR trail again.

“Only so far as it doesn’t impede or pose a problem to our walking public,” Armitage said.

He said he hopes to form the committee in the next two weeks.

Vermette told Global News he’s relieved the bylaw will be amended.

“I’m very proud that my community came to bat and backed me on it,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm very proud that my community came to bat and backed me on it," he said.

But Vermette, who was fighting to have the bylaw revoked, said there is still more work to do before he considers his effort a ‘mission accomplished’.