ORDINANCE #654

AN ORDINANCE TO SPECIFY DESIGNATED SNOWMOBILE ROUTES, TO ALLOW SPECIAL EVENTS INVOLVING SNOWMOBILES AND TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES WITHIN THE CITY BY AMENDING CHAPTER 10 OF THE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CODE WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE CITY. AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CODE ARE FOUND IN CHAPTER 145 OF TITLE X OF THE CITY CODE.

THE CITY OF CHARLEVOIX ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The following provisions of Section 10.3 Additional regulations of the Uniform Traffic Code and which is located in Chapter 145 of Title X of the City Code are amended or added as follows:

Section 10.3 Additional Regulations. In addition to State law which pertains to snowmobiles, the following provisions shall apply to snowmobiles operating within the City of Charlevoix.

(1) Snowmobiles may only be operated within the City of Charlevoix as shown in the map denominated "Designated Snowmobile Routes within the City of Charlevoix". That map shall depict two types of designated snowmobile routes which are Type A routes and a Type B route and areas where snowmobiles may park. Type A routes consist of the following streets:
(a) Division Street from Michigan Avenue to Mercer Boulevard
(b) Sherman Street to Charlo Street to Carpenter Street, along the east perimeter fence of the Charlevoix Airport to US 31.
(c) The Garfield/May Street intersection south on May Street to Eaton Avenue to Ferry Avenue to Stover Road

The Type B route consists of the following areas: Ferry Avenue from the intersection of Eaton Avenue and Ferry Avenue and Belvedere Avenue from its intersection with Ferry Avenue to the downtown snowmobile area. The downtown snowmobile area is located south of the Clinton Street right of way, east of the Bridge Street right of way, north of the Belvedere Avenue right of way and west of Round Lake.

(2) No snowmobile may be operated on US-31 North within the city limits of Charlevoix, except when crossing US-31 North.

(3) When a snowmobile is normally stored at a location in the City which is not on a Designated Snowmobile Route, the snowmobile may be operated only on the most direct route to or from a Designated Snowmobile Route.

(4) No person may operate a snowmobile within the city of Charlevoix at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper giving due regard for conditions then existing and in no event in excess of any posted vehicular speed limit.

(5) A snowmobile may be operated on a Type A route only for the purpose of ingress to the City of Charlevoix or egress from the City of Charlevoix. A snowmobile may be operated on the Type B route to access a residence, a business or municipal parking area directly adjacent to the route or at the end of the route, or to return from a residence, business or municipal parking area directly adjacent to the route or at the end of the route.

(6) Snowmobiles shall not be driven on any sidewalks within the City of Charlevoix.

(7) No person shall operate a snowmobile on a city street under the age of (16) years old unless said person is at least twelve (12) but less than (16) years of age and has a valid snowmobile safety certificate in his or her immediate possession as issued pursuant to section 4B of Act 74 of the Public Acts of the State of Michigan for 1968 and is accompanied and supervised by parent, legal guardian, or person over (16) years of age with an automobile operators license. All operators of snowmobiles within the City shall carry valid proof of age, on their person, while operating a snowmobile within the City of Charlevoix.

(8) No person may operate a snowmobile on private property within the City of Charlevoix without the consent of the property owner or his agent.

(9) No person may operate a snowmobile within the City limits with more than two (2) people on a snowmobile.

(10) Any person operating a snowmobile on a City street must:
a) travel as close to the right edge of the plowed area of the street as practical.
b) obey all traffic signals, signs, and devices.
c) yield the right-of-way to all vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.

(11) No snowmobile shall be operated across any street except at a street intersection.

(12) No snowmobile shall be operated in the City of Charlevoix unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

(13) No snowmobile shall be operated on the Charlevoix Municipal Golf Course.

(14) No snowmobile may be operated on any street, including any Designated Snowmobile Route, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

(15) A snowmobile may be operated on a City street or an area within the City open to the general public for a special event of limited duration conducted according to a prearranged schedule submitted to the City Council and after obtaining a permit from the City Council. The permit may designate which streets and/or areas may be used for snowmobiles, set hours of operation, and impose such other conditions as the Council determines are appropriate.

(16) From December 1 through March 31 of each year, snowmobiles may be parked on snow covered ground in the downtown snowmobile area.

PRINTED 01-14-2000