Wildridge residents, we NEED YOUR SUPPORT re OHV use on Town streets in Wildridge
Since the Vail Daily article titled "Avon seeks to legitimize use of off-highway vehicles on public roads" was published, the Opposition has been blowing up Avon Town Council's email. We NEED YOUR SUPPORT to do the same.
Town Council has been accused of representing their own personal interests and not that of their constituents and we need you to let them know that is not the case.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Please email council@avon.org to let them know you are in support of OHV use on streets in Wildridge. Here are some key talking points:
This Ordinance will not result in OHVs driving through the roundabouts in Town. The Ordinance would only provide for use on Metcalf Rd., Wildwood Rd. and streets in Wildridge to and from storage, garages or our homes to the trailheads.
The Ordinance will not increase traffic on town streets. We have been driving on OHVs on town street to and from the trailheads for the last 16+ years, without incident, see Policy Chief Daly's report.
The Ordinance will not create excess noise nor effect the peace and quiet enjoyment of our neighborhood. They are not any louder than construction, delivery and trash vehicles or lawn mowers.
The Ordinance will not cause more pollution because we will be able to legally ride close to home and avoid the gas guzzling, carbon emitting journey to a far away trailhead.
The Ordinance will not have a negative impact on wildlife. Studies show humans on foot, especially with dogs, more often invoke fight or flight response than humans on machines.
The Ordinance will not increase the risk of wildfires as our vehicles have spark arresters. Additionally, our group may identify, put out and/or report fires caused by lightning strikes.
The Ordinance will not cause motorized use where it is not allowed. The land north of the Town of Avon, for miles, and between Muddy Pass and Red Sandstone Rd. is neither a Wilderness Area nor a Roadless Area. It is designated for Motorized Use which includes OHV use.
Last, but not least, the Covenants. The Wildridge Covenants have been deemed unenforceable by the Town Attorney, see Memorandum from June, 2020, and the Town has a long history of allowing for use that is in violation of those Covenants. The Town should not choose to selectively enforce the Covenants against our particular user group.
We need your support to gain OHV legal access on Wildridge roads to the trailheads. If we do not gain this legal access, it could be the first step in our access to forest lands being shut down to OHVs in the Wildridge Area.
Thank you in advance for your support and for writing emails to Council. Please also consider attending the two Town Council meetings in which the first and second readings of the Ordinance will occur, May 11 and May 25. Meetings begin at 5pm.
Please let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way.
