Sylvan Lake town council has given a brief reprieve to residents who want to ride their snowmobiles from home to the lake.
On Monday, town council gave second reading to a bylaw that would strike down the existing bylaw, which gives town residents limited abilities to ride off-highway vehicles through town during the winter season to reach the lake.
Council had invited citizens interested in the bylaw to state their case before a decision would be made. So many people came forward with so many ideas, it was suggested that they meet with the town’s operational services group on Jan. 5 to create a recommendation for the next council meeting, Mayor Susan Samson said.
Council is looking for a recommendation that will allow residents to continue riding through town to reach the lake while looking after various concerns that have been raised. Those concerns include worries about safety on both roads and trails by people abusing the privilege. Those include people riding their machines outside the terms provided in the bylaw, which states that they must take the most direct route to the lake.
The group is charged with bringing back its ideas to council at its Jan. 11 meeting, when councillors will cast their final vote. At that time, they can go ahead and repeal the bylaw or accept the citizens’ recommendations and draw up a new plan, said Samson.