Subject:
Title
Ordinance amending Chapter 122, Article IV of the Pinellas County Code relating to Golf Carts, revising Section 122-67 relating to Golf Cart Use on certain roadways in Ozona and Crystal Beach to allow for the inclusion of roadways in additional communities and to impose restrictions consistent with state law, revising Section 122-68 relating to Golf Cart Use on certain roadways in Highland Lakes to allow for the inclusion of roadways in additional communities and to impose restrictions consistent with state law, creating Section 122-69 providing for designation of roadways for golf cart use by ordinance or resolution, creating Appendix F and G of the Code identifying where golf cart use is permitted, and providing for applicability in unincorporated areas.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 122, Article IV of the Pinellas County Code relating to Golf Carts, revising Section 122-67 relating to Golf Cart Use on certain roadways in Ozona and Crystal Beach to allow for the inclusion of roadways in additional communities and to impose restrictions consistent with state law, revising Section 122-68 relating to Golf Cart Use on certain roadways in Highland Lakes to allow for the inclusion of roadways in additional communities and to impose restrictions consistent with state law, creating Section 122-69 providing for designation of roadways for golf cart use by ordinance or resolution, creating Appendix F and G of the Code identifying where golf cart use is permitted, and providing for applicability in unincorporated areas.
• The ordinance clarifies that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) can designate roads for golf cart use by ordinance or resolution after making certain legislative findings.
• The ordinance creates two new appendices to the Code: Appendix F contains maps of roads that are open to golf cart use twenty-four hours day (Ozona/Crystal Beach); and Appendix G contains maps of roads that are open to golf cart use from sunrise to sunset (Highland Lakes).
• The designated roads for Ozona/Crystal Beach and Highland Lakes are pre-existing and not changing. However, the Board is adopting maps for these roads which will be codified in the appendices referenced above.
• After the Board adopts the ordinance, it may adopt the four standalone resolutions (with maps) designating new roads for golf cart use. The four resolutions include: Palm Harbor, Baywood Village, Lake Shore Estates, and Freshwater Estates and Lake Shore Estates North.
• The ordinance is effective when filed with the department of state. Resolutions (designating the new roads) are given a delayed effective date of October 1, 2020 to allow ample time for staff to install necessary signage.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
5.4 Strive to exceed customer expectations
Summary:
Summary
The proposed ordinance places certain safety restrictions upon the use of golf carts in County rights-of-way, and limits golf cart travel to certain designated streets within Ozona, Crystal Beach, and Highland Lakes. The Board previously adopted Resolution No. 05-245 and Ordinance No. 06-12 authorizing golf cart use upon certain roadways within the Ozona and Crystal Beach communities. Furthermore, the Board previously adopted Resolution No. 07-70 and Ordinance No. 07-34, later amended by Ordinance No. 16-23, authorizing golf cart use upon certain roadways within the Highland Lakes community.
The Board has received requests from several additional communities to designate certain roadways for golf cart use and the Board anticipates similar requests from other communities. Given these outstanding and anticipated requests, the Board wishes to streamline the process by which roadways are designated for golf cart use; and the Board wishes to: (a) clarify that roadways may be designated for golf cart use by ordinance or resolution; (b) add appendices where the geographical limits of roadways designated for golf cart use may be codified; and (c) codify maps illustrating the previously established Ozona, Crystal Beach, and Highland Lakes areas.
Section 122-67 of the Pinellas County Code is hereby amended to read that Golf Carts are permitted on certain County roads at any hour. Golf carts operated by any person possessing a valid driver’s license and equipped in the manner prescribed by this section may travel on or cross the public roads as set forth in Appendix F of this code at any hour. Section 122-68 of the Pinellas County Code is amended to allow golf carts on certain County roads from sunrise to sunset. Golf carts operated by any person possessing a valid driver’s license and equipped in the manner prescribed by this section may travel on or cross the public roads as set forth in Appendix G from sunrise to sunset. Section 122-69 is titled Designation of Certain County Roads for Golf Cart Use. Section 122-69 is created so that the Board may designate public roads for golf cart use by ordinance or resolution. After designation by the Board, such roads shall be identified in Appendix F or Appendix G.
The Board is to make five (5) separate motions to first approve the ordinance and then the four (4) resolutions. Three (3) maps (not considered exhibits) are attached to the ordinance and one (1) map is attached to each resolution. The maps will ultimately be submitted to Municode for codification, in Appendix F or G as appropriate. The maps associated with the four (4) resolutions are all new golf cart communities.
Body
Background Information:
Section 316.212 of Florida Statutes authorizes the Board to permit the use of golf carts on County rights-of-way within designated areas in any unincorporated area, considering factors such as speed, volume, and the character of other motor vehicle traffic using these roadways. The operation of a golf cart on a public road not designated by the Board for golf cart use is expressly prohibited, except where otherwise authorized by law.
A golf cart is a motorized four (4)-wheel vehicle that can go a maximum speed of twenty (20) miles per hour (mph). It can only be used on roads with a maximum speed limit of thirty (30) mph. Per the proposed ordinance, a person must possess a valid driver’s license when traveling or crossing on public roads, and the golf cart must be equipped as specified in Appendix G or Appendix F.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hamer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Ozona/Crystal Beach
Highland Lakes
Freshwater Estates
Lakeshore Estates
Palm Harbor
Bay Village Estates
Attachments:
Proposed Ordinance No. 20 -
Proposed Ordinance No. 20 - (Redline)
Legal Advertisement
Ozona/Crystal Beach Map 1
Ozona/Crystal Beach Map 2
Highland Lakes Map
Resolution No. 20 -
Resolution No. 20 -
Resolution No. 20 -
Resolution No. 20 -
Freshwater Estates Map
Lakeshore Estates Map
Palm Harbor Map
Bay Village Map
Ordinance No. 07-34
Resolution No. 07-70
Ordinance No. 06-12
Ordinance No. 16-23
Resolution No. 05-245