SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council is giving the green light for ATVs to roll down Jasper Avenue, restoring a key connection through town after a break in the trail network.
Council in Smiths Falls approved a permanent amendment to its ATV bylaw allowing riders to travel approximately 550 metres along Jasper Avenue between Old Slys Road and Broadview Avenue East.
The change follows a request from the Rideau Lakes ATV Club, which appeared before council’s committee of the whole on Monday, April 27, after losing access to part of its trail system due to a change in land ownership.
Josh Hicks told council the club was dealing with “a bit of an emergency” after a land use agreement with a property owner was not renewed, cutting off a key connection needed to move riders through the south end of town.
Hicks said the disruption forced riders to bypass Smiths Falls while the club works toward a longer-term solution.
In a report to council, Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn recommended the route be made permanent rather than temporary, noting it connects to streets where ATV use is already permitted and provides a more direct link.
“It seems to make sense to make it a permanent section of roadway on Jasper that can be used by ATVs,” McMunn said.
Coun. Jennifer Miller asked whether police had been consulted on the proposed change.
McMunn said police were not consulted on this specific request, but had no issues with similar route changes approved in the past.
“The police didn’t have any concerns … presumably it’s the same context with this ask,” he said.
A brief interruption from the gallery raised concerns about shared road use, including mobility scooters, before the speaker was ruled out of order by the chair, Coun Steve Robinson.
McMunn said directing ATV traffic along Jasper and Broadview avenues could help limit travel through more densely populated residential areas.
Coun. Jay Brennan referenced a past ATV event in town that drew strong participation.
“There had been a couple hundred of you guys,” Brennan said, which is great for tourism and the economy.
Coun. Dawn Quinn said she supported the request because the club follows proper channels and respects municipal rules.
“They come and ask permission and they abide by the laws,” Quinn said.
Mayor Shawn Pankow said he did not see an issue with the request, noting there have been no complaints and that riders have been respectful of the rules of the road.
Council supported the staff recommendation without opposition and authorized the mayor and clerk to execute an updated agreement with the ATV club.
The club continues to pursue a longer-term solution through the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority to restore uninterrupted trail access outside municipal roads.
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