Residents in Silverton on Tuesday voted to retain existing ATV rules within town limits, allowing Town Council to tweak the ordinance to address concerns raised over the last few months.
In February, three petitions were circulated around town that sought to address ATV use in town, which was sent to ballot Tuesday in a special election.
The results:
1. Opening the entire town to ATV use – YES: 238 NO: 197
2. Banning ATVs in town – YES: 163 NO: 266
3. Adjust existing rule – YES: 267 NO: 162
Silverton voters in spring 2014 agreed to open select streets in town to ATV use in a 243-179 vote. But after three summer seasons, some residents said the ATVs were causing more harm than good.
But those on the other side of the argument claimed allowing ATVs within town limits has had a positive impact on the rise of tourism, profiting local businesses and sales tax revenue.
Michelle Hamilton, interim town administrator, said there will be an “old fashioned town hall” meeting 6:30 p.m. May 1 to work on adjusting the existing rules to mitigate some of the issues raised before the start of the summer tourist season.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
