ESCANABA — Despite many in the audience of Thursday night’s regular city council meeting objecting to the use of side-by-sides on city streets, the council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing the vehicles designed for off-road use to operate on roadways within the city.

The ordinance has been a contentious issue since it was first proposed to the council at the April 21 city council meeting. After some revisions, the issue was readdressed at the May 5 city council meeting with only one non-resident speaking out in favor of the proposal of the eight that spoke.

At Thursday’s meeting, a rare third public hearing on an ordinance was held and was was much of the same, with the majority of speakers voicing their concerns about the ordinance, which had undergone some changes after being reviewed by the city’s attorney, Lisa Vogler.

“To be honest with you, I’m really concerned about hitting one of these things. They don’t have turn signals on them, they don’t have all that stuff, they’re not really street legal,” said Glenn Vandewater, who noted an ordinance would not be needed if the vehicles in question were street legal.

In addition to a few minor changes, such as requiring side-by-sides to have windshields to operate on city streets, the majority of Vogler’s revisions were focused on residents’ concerns over insurance and side-by-sides being licensed. The new version requires all side-by-sides to be licensed and to be insured with comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage.

Public Safety Director Ken LaMarche highlighted the changes, and noted the licenses were not a major change, as any side-by-side traveling on a trail would already need to have a license sticker. Under the ordinance, side-by-sides may be driven only on the most direct route from a trailhead to and from lodging, to obtain food at restaurants or stores, to get fuel or repairs, and to a residence.

Despite the revisions, the majority of speakers during the public hearing were against the ordinance — including some that ride side-by-sides.

“As a teenager and a driver of a side-by-side I … am aware of the dangers of these vehicles and I strongly object to the usage of these vehicles in the city limits because of how dangerous they are. I have rolled one and multiple times and I am thankful to be standing here today with every single one of my limbs still attached,” said Ava Fix. “Speaking as a teenager, I also know some of my peers are not the safest drivers in town. If someone dies in one of these vehicles, the blood is not only on the hands of our law enforcement, but also on our city council.”

The ordinance requires all side-by-side operators be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.

Of the six speakers who weighed in on the issue, two felt the ordinance was a smart move for the city. One of those residents felt it didn’t go far enough to allow other types of off-road vehicles such as ATVs and dirt bikes.

“Why wouldn’t we include a two-wheeled vehicle or four-wheeled vehicle whether we sit side-by-side or front-to-back or a leg over the saddle or sit inside of it (and) have a roof; a windshield? What does it matter if we are trying to afford our citizens a freedom and a luxury,” said David Johnson.

At prior meetings, LaMarche has stated the decision to restrict the ordinance to only side-by-sides was driven by the fact those vehicles are more likely to be two-stroke engines and louder than their four-stroke counterparts.

“I think this is a great opportunity to test this out. This is a great opportunity to be progressive and move forward,” said Council Member Tyler DuBord, who described the ordinance’s passage as a “trial run” and reminded the residents present that the ordinance can be revised or repealed if it becomes troublesome.

The ordinance passed unanimously, with the caveat that the wording be tweaked in a few places to accurately define a city street and that those revisions be reviewed by the city’s attorney.