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KENANSVILLE — Concerned over the growing number of golf carts being operated on town streets and complaints over their operation, Kenansville police chief Jackie Benton presented a proposed ordinance regarding their operation to the Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
“We are having complaints from citizens about some of them being driven after dark and some almost getting struck,” Benton told the board. “They are operating up to Liberty Square Shopping Center frequently.”
Town Manager Anna West and Benton reported citizen complaints about golf carts operating after dark, using sidewalks, and reckless driving.
Benton’s proposed ordinance would limit golf cart use in town to licensed drivers over 16 years of age. They would also only be allowed to use roadways with a 25 MPH speed limit, but could cross roads with a 35 MPH limit. The ordinance would also prohibit golf cart use after dark and on sidewalks.
In addition to restrictions, the proposed ordinance would require golf carts used on town roads to be registered at a cost of $25 a year. Benton said most municipalities he contacted in researching the proposed ordinance charged fees ranging from $50 to $100.
A few commissioners expressed concerns over placing limitations on golf cart usage in town. Commissioner Linda Tyson said she was concerned about how the ordinance would affect one man in town who has no driver’s license and depends on a golf cart to get to the store.
“The more laws you make, the more restrictive everything is,” Tyson said. “To me, it gets overwhelming.”
Commissioner Kirk Bell asked Benton how the road speed limit restriction would affect his use of a golf cart.
“You know where I live,” Bell said. “So, I could not ride a golf cart from my house to the store because of the 35 MPH speed limit (on my road)?”
“That is correct,” Benton responded. “If you allow them to be operated on 35 MPH streets, on the state-maintained roads, we are putting golf carts at a disadvantage with the motoring public driving 45 MPH. If they strike a golf cart, it can result in a lot more serious injury or worse.”
Benton added he was just concerned about the safety aspect of their operation.
Tyson added that the proposed ordinance limiting golf cart use between dawn and dusk would also affect the man who depends on his golf cart.
“Personally, I don’t think golf carts should be out at night,” Benton said.
The board voted to table the consideration of the ordinance until their September meeting to explore all options.
In other business, the board voted to accept an amendment to an ordinance accepting an additional grant from the N.C. Division of Water Infrastructure for upgrades and improvements to the town’s sewage system. It also awarded the contract for the project to the Adams Company. The total cost of the project is $2,495,499, with the majority funded by state grants. The town’s contribution to the project’s cost is $25,000.
The board also voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting of the board regarding a planning board recommendation to make a slight extension to the manufactured housing overlay district to allow a new mobile home to be placed on a lot owned by resident Sylvestor Carlton that is directly beside lots already containing mobile homes.
The board approved a request from the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce to close portions of Limestone Road and South Main Street, between Kenansville Elementary School and the Duplin Events Center, for the town’s Christmas Parade scheduled for Nov. 29. The request will now be presented to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
