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Residents urge Ellettsville to craft a local UTV ordinance; council says more study needed
Summary
Several residents spoke in favor of a local UTV ordinance, citing safety improvements, accessibility and economic benefits; the council said it is open to an ordinance but wants additional meetings with department heads to craft language that avoids enforcement and safety pitfalls, especially around State Road 46 crossings.
Dozens of minutes of public comment at the July 14 meeting centered on whether Ellettsville should adopt a local ordinance permitting UTVs on specified town roads.
Tom Orman, who identified himself during public comment, urged the council to consider an ordinance similar to those in neighboring counties. "Every county around us has UTV ordinances, and Ellettsville is one to expand its limits," Orman said, adding that modern UTVs have roll cages, seat belts, registrations and insurance.
Other residents and owners described practical local uses: storm and snow cleanup, downtown access where full-size trucks are impractical, farm work and mobility for residents with accessibility needs. One resident said UTV tourism generates revenue in other states and suggested it could benefit the local economy if properly regulated.
Council members welcomed the input but repeatedly warned about legal and enforcement complications, especially where town streets meet State Road 46. "I don't want to open it up to everybody who thinks because Elllettsville did it, everything's now in play," the clerk said, emphasizing that state rules governing highways could expose users to legal trouble at intersections. Councilors asked staff to consult department heads and craft an ordinance tailored to local traffic patterns and enforcement capacity rather than simply adopting a county model.
What's next: Council members said they will hold further conversations with department heads and stakeholders and bring a tailored ordinance proposal back for consideration. No formal ordinance vote occurred at this meeting.
