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Residents, businesses urge Onalaska council to consider opening streets to UTVs and ATVs
Summary
Presenters from Coulee Cruisers and several business and residents urged the council to direct staff to draft a local ordinance permitting UTV/ATV use on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less; council asked staff to investigate and return with options.
Dozens of residents and several business owners told the Onalaska Common Council they support opening city streets to utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), asking the council to direct staff to draft a local ordinance that would connect approved town and county routes to the city.
In public comment, Tara Holland urged reconsideration of an older city ordinance affecting community rummage sales. Business owners and residents then spoke specifically about UTV/ATV access. Matt Manske, owner of Hedgehog ATV, said allowing UTVs on targeted streets would let customers drive to his door. Paul Sobkowiak of Coulee Golf Bowl and Sandy Thompson (town resident) described successful UTV ordinances in neighboring jurisdictions and argued opening select streets would bolster tourism and convenience.
Rhonda Peterson, president of the Coulee Cruisers ATV/UTV Club, presented state statutory changes (2018 statute and 2021 Act 70) and Wisconsin DNR operating guidance that, she said, permit local governments to authorize UTV/ATV use on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Peterson told the council the club will cover the cost of signage if the city adopts an ordinance and highlighted statewide economic activity tied to registered machines.
Council members asked technical and jurisdictional questions — whether crossings of higher-speed state highways would be allowed, which streets would be included, and how enforcement would work. Staff said an ordinance would have to be vetted and would not apply to state-designated highways with higher posted limits; petitioning DOT for connecting routes would be required where speed limits exceed 35 mph.
Rather than act tonight, councilors asked staff to research options, draft proposed ordinances and maps, and return with cost, enforcement and routing recommendations.
What’s next: staff will evaluate routes eligible under the 35-mph threshold, consult La Crosse County and the DNR guidance, and present draft ordinance options and signage plans for council consideration.
