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Council refers UTV (side‑by‑side) ordinance for North Cedar to staff; public safety and scope to be reviewed
Summary
Council members directed staff to draft an ordinance allowing utility task vehicles (UTVs) on designated streets within the North Cedar area and to return with recommendations later this summer. Neighborhood proponents said they want use limited to North Cedar and would follow state vehicle rules.
The Cedar Falls City Council referred a citizen request to draft an ordinance permitting utility task vehicles (UTVs, also called side‑by‑sides) on designated streets in the North Cedar area and asked staff to return with recommendations after additional review.
Council member Schultz brought the referral and said North Cedar residents had requested a defined perimeter for legal UTV operation. Neighborhood advocates and the North Cedar Neighborhood Association spoke in favor of limiting operation to the northern perimeter and said local owners already comply with state safety rules.
Rusty Easton, who presented the neighborhood’s proposal, said his group would limit the proposed area to North Cedar and follow Iowa’s 2022 changes that allow communities to authorize UTVs. He reviewed state equipment and operator requirements, including that operators be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license, carry proof of liability insurance and registration, display a slow‑moving vehicle sign, have lights and seat belts, and limit speeds to 35 mph or posted limits. “Safety is a concern of ours…we feel we are far safer, highly visible day or night, especially compared to a motorcycle or a bicycle,” Easton said.
Jim Newcomb, president of the North Cedar Neighborhood Association, told the council the association had no objections after a neighborhood presentation and that neighbors reported no problems with UTV owners in their area.
Councilors asked staff to examine site‑specific issues including park and campground boundaries (Big Woods Lake and Blackhawk Park were identified as out of scope for the proposed perimeter) and enforcement, and to return with draft ordinance language, recommended permitted streets and an implementation plan later this summer. Council members and staff discussed a tentative schedule for committee or council review after the RAGBRAI event; staff suggested bringing a preliminary draft to a committee meeting in August.
No ordinance was adopted at the May 19 meeting; the council directed staff to prepare options and said it expected to revisit the matter at a future meeting.
