Township Eyes ATV Rules

For Casale Drive South resident Rebecca Perkins, there are three reasons why Warren Township needs to consider an ordinance controlling ATV ridership on private property: safety, environmental and to maintain neighborhoods.

"I now have ATV noise inside my house, with the doors closed, with the TV on," she told the Township Committee at the April 14 meeting. "I dread summer because I really don't have the opportunity to sit on my deck and look out at my backyard without dealing with the noise."

Warren is considering adopting an ordinance similar to one recently put in place in Watchung in 2009, which sets limits to the placement of trails for ATV riding on residential property. The ordinance could help prevent a situation Perkins described, with a neighbor placing trails far from their on house, on the rear of the lot, but very close to Perkins' house and deck.

"He clearly didn't want to deal with the noise and environmental impact," she said.

The township has a noise ordinance in place, but Perkins noted without a noise enforcement official, it's difficult to enforce the rules.

She urged committee members to put set-back restrictions in place to prevent ATV riding too close to residences, as well as possible minimum lot sizes.

"I can understand (the homeowners') concern and the impacts on their property," Committeeman Vic Sordillo said, noting he had asked for copies of Watchung's ordinance to be reviewed by the committee members. "What I ask is the committee review this and either provide support for this ordinance, or an ordinance with some alterations. I do support some kind of move in this direction."

Mayor Gary DiNardo said he worried about limiting other property owners' rights, but said the committee should be able to balance the needs.

Sordillo encouraged residents with similar concerns, or those who support ATV, ridership, to email Township Administrator Mark Krane, who will compile any comments and report back to the committee.