No Ordinance
For Golf Carts
In Warsaw
Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
Commission member and Warsaw Police Dept. Lt. Kip Shuter opened up the discussion on the golf cart ordinance by telling the board they've had two months to consider the issue. Commission members also had information regarding golf cart ordinances four municipalities approved.
The town of Syracuse has the most restrictions in their ordinance. A golf cart there must have a slow moving emblem, red or amber flashing light, headlights, taillights, rearview mirror and factory seating. A person driving a golf cart in Syracuse must have a valid driver's license and follow the rules of the road. Golf carts in the town may not be driven on the state highway or on sidewalks.
Tony Elliott, of Elliott's Cars & Carts, said Syracuse seems to have a few more rules. However, if a person is going to ride a golf cart on the roads, headlights, taillights and a rearview mirror should be mandatory.
Shuter said they talked about possibly allowing golf carts on certain roads, but the problem there is that the city has no road classification system. Without that system, the city is unable to say "on this kind of road, you can have one," he said.
City planner Jeremy Skinner said they could create a road classification map, but he didn't know how that would fit into the ordinance.
He said, currently, people may not drive golf carts on the streets because they don't know if they can do it or not. If an ordinance is approved, more people may end up driving the carts on the roads. The ordinance could be creating more of an issue. Shuter said the city doesn't have a problem with them now.
Elliott said most golf carts are used in neighborhoods and in camp grounds. "That's what they're normally used for," he said.
"I don't think there'll be a rush of people going out to buy them as a means of travel (if an ordinance is approved)," said Greg Scroeder, Warsaw Community Schools director of maintenance.
City councilman and commission member George Clemens said they could pass the ordinance and revisit it later if problems arise. Skinner said that could create more problems. If they pass an ordinance and allow people to have them, then change the ordinance, people may get mad because they went out and bought a golf cart.
"I personally see this as a nightmare enforcement issue," said Skinner later.
Councilman and commission member Jerry Patterson made the motion to take no action on the golf court issue, and it was approved by all board members.
In the other issue before the traffic commission, representatives of Family Video requested a drive cut on Buffalo Street at 109 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw.
Keith Haza, Family Video regional director for Indiana, said the business is a video and game rental business. While business is slow during the day, their busiest hours are 6 to 8 p.m. If they have the drive cut on Buffalo Street, they hope to reduce the traffic in the alley.
Daniel Stone, of Van Horn Hoover & Associates Inc., engineering and surveying firm, Findlay, Ohio, said they've looked at three options for the business. The property is only 66 feet wide, so that was a limitation. By providing access off Buffalo Street, Stone said, they hope that will lessen congestion in the alley.
Stone also said they are working with the Indiana Department of Transportation regarding what is state right of way and what isn't on Buffalo Street and Winona Avenue. Skinner said anything they approve also has to get INDOT approval.
Lacey Francis, Warsaw street superintendent, said he didn't like the drive cut on Buffalo Street at all. Steve Foster, commission member, said he would be opposed to the drive cut on Buffalo Street too because of the proximity to the intersection. There's also a substantial grade difference there.
Skinner said the only thing he'd be in favor of was a right turn out of the business only, with signage.
"Personally, I think that would be perfectly fine. I don't think we'd have any issues with people turning right out of there," Skinner said.
The commission approved to recommend to the city council that Family Video be allowed a right-turn out only cut onto Buffalo Street.
The commission's next meeting is Nov. 4.
|
|
.jpg)
