Q: I read that the Panora City Council approved an ordinance to allow UTVs on the streets of Panora. With so many golf cart owners at the lake, why does the city council not allow them in Panora? Those of us on the east side of the lake can easily and safely get into town via the gravel road by the south shore.
A: We directed this question to Panora Mayor Curt Thornberry. He told us, “We get this question a lot. In making past decisions on this topic, the council has stated that safety is paramount. Previously, the State of Iowa and Guthrie County allowed UTVs to operate on undivided two-lane primary highways, unpaved gravel roads, as well as paved, undivided two-lane secondary roads. The city council extended this to include the Panora city limits. The council has made a distinction between golf carts and UTVs. The reasoning was that UTVs come equipped with safety features that golf carts do not, including roll cages, seat belts, and more robust braking systems. Moreover, in Iowa, UTVs are required to have headlights, tail lights, brake lights, a horn and rearview mirrors. UTVs must be registered with the Iowa DNR, drivers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and must have proof of insurance.”
Q: Can a car be parked on LPA roads overnight?
A: In short, no… unless you have prior permission from the LPA. According to section 4.1(f) of LPA Rules and Regulations, “No vehicle, equipment, or material shall be parked on any street in the subdivision, except for temporary purposes and shall not remain parked within the right-of-way of any LPA street overnight except with the special permission of the LPA.”