Hyde Park to consider regulating ATV use in town

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print
Copyright Mid Hudson News file photo.

HYDE PARK – The Hyde Park town board is considering legislation that will all but eliminate people from riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on their own property within the town’s borders.

“The law is in response to the many, many complaints we receive from residents, especially in the Greentree neighborhood.  The complaints range from riders driving illegally in the streets, to the lack of safety compliance and loud noise that is noxious to those whose properties border the areas where the ATV’s are ridden,” said Supervisor Aileen Rohr.

The change to town law includes several prohibitions, including making it illegal for an ATV owner to operate the vehicle on their own property.  A portion of the draft says “No person shall operate any nuisance vehicle in the Town of Hyde Park upon private real property within 500 feet of a property line or 1,000 feet of a residence at any time, regardless of whether such vehicle is licensed, unlicensed, registered or unregistered by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.”

Sal DiPressi

Hyde Park resident Sal DiPressi thinks the law is an overreach.  “I do believe that there should be some law about riding on private property but this proposal is a bit extreme,” he said.  The ATV enthusiast noted that there are not many parcels in Hyde Park that will meet the boundary requirements of the new legislation.

The full version of the legislation can be found here.

Rohr supports the changes, saying “This spring in particular, it was brought to our attention that ATVs were arriving by trucks from outside of our area as well as drivers using town streets to access properties.  Because the HPPD is charged with enforcement, and town resources are expended to do so, we concluded that additional tools were needed for the safety of residents.”

Rohr noted that the law provides for ATV operators who have written consent to do so to utilize properties for the recreational use of their ATV.  The law also provides exemptions for the use of ATVs for the maintenance of real property.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for August 31 at 6:15 pm.  To participate in the hearing, click here.




Popular Stories