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Council packet includes proposed OHV ordinance and multiple letters of local support
Summary
Bill No. 434 would add an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) chapter to Yerington's traffic code to permit designated on-road OHV/UTV travel on listed streets for access and to govern equipment, registration and helmet rules. Packet materials include letters from businesses, state economic development, and trail groups supporting the proposal.
Bill No. 434, proposed for addition to Title 6 of Yerington's municipal code, would create Chapter 16 to regulate Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) use on designated streets for the limited purpose of accessing areas open to OHV use. The draft ordinance lists specific streets where on-road travel would be permitted for ingress and egress only, restricts OHV/UTV use by locations (for example, prohibiting travel on roads adjacent to hospitals and during school-zone hours), and sets equipment standards and civil penalties.
Key provisions in the draft ordinance include: designation of specific routes (e.g., Bridge St., Main St., Goldfield Ave., MacKenzie Ln. and other connectors) for limited OHV/UTV travel to reach trailheads or private/public OHV facilities; requirement that operators carry a valid driver's license and vehicle registration; mandatory helmet requirements for all occupants (civil penalty stated); seatbelt requirements if the vehicle is so equipped; and daytime-use restrictions tied to sunrise/sunset. The ordinance would adopt NRS Chapter 490 provisions and require compliance with state law where applicable.
The council packet contains multiple letters supporting the proposal. Submissions include a business-owner letter from Jay Dini highlighting tourism benefits and increased downtown sales during off-road events; a letter from the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (Shari Davis) urging integration of outdoor recreation and downtown activation; support from the Pine Nut Mountains Trail Association (PNMTA) noting safety and managed access; and Farmy's Off-Road Park board commentary emphasizing tourism and job benefits. Local residents Gary and Karen Hardesty also wrote in support, noting signage would be provided at no cost to the city and saying the ordinance mirrors ordinances used in other Nevada communities.
The meeting minutes record the ordinance as an agenda item and include the packet materials; there is no council vote on Bill No. 434 recorded in the March 9 minutes. Materials in the packet note the proposal has gone through committee review and multiple rounds of public notice; proponents emphasize the city could require signage, safety measures and route limits to concentrate activity and support local businesses.
