The action by the council was made as a result of a passage of the citizen referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot which was solidly approved by voters (795 yes to 528 No), ending a ban on snowmobiling, except by special permission from the city for an event, since the mid-1970s. Efforts to overturn the ban failed three previous times of that span.

The new ordinance would only ban snowmobile use on Colby Street and Thompson St. (BR-31), Mears Ave. Division St. and Lake St., as well as on closed streets, in any city park or city-owned natural area except if receiving prior permission by the city.

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