DeLand may legalize golf carts, plant gardens

BEACON PHOTO/BARB SHEPHERD
Look at my mom! — Liona Mites smiles as her mother, Hilary Martin, speaks to the DeLand City Commission Feb. 1 about community gardens. Martin was one of two residents who brought proposals to the City Commission at the Feb. 1 meeting. Two-year-old Liona, by the way, sat quietly through the entire City Commission meeting.

By Barb Shepherd
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 5, 2010 - 1:58:49pm

Often when the DeLand City Commission meets, no members of the public come to talk to their elected representatives about problems or ideas.

At the Feb. 1 meeting, however, two DeLand residents approached the microphone at the front of the meeting room to talk about creating change in their city. Both of their ideas were well-received by the five members of the City Commission.

Hilary Martin came to ask whether city-owned land where tax dollars are now being spent to fertilize and mow grass could be converted to space for community gardens.

Mayor Bob Apgar told Martin about a committee of city staff members currently working on similar “green” ideas. He expressed support for community gardens, but cautioned there would be many details, including questions of liability, to work out.

Marvin Davis of North Adelle Avenue came to ask how it could be made legal for residents to use golf carts on city streets.

Davis’ idea generated the most discussion. He and his wife use an electric golf cart to get around. They collect aluminum cans off the streets, and run their elderly neighbors to the convenience store nearby. The Davises don’t use a car, Marvin Davis told commissioners.

But driving a golf cart on city streets is illegal. Davis has been warned by the DeLand Police Department that his mode of transportation could get him a traffic ticket.

“We want to find out how we can get it so we can do it legally,” Davis said.

City Commissioner Leigh Matusick had talked to Davis earlier about his problem, and had done some research. She said state statutes allow cities to change their ordinances to allow limited use of golf carts on local streets.

“I think it’s time,” Matusick said. “Money’s tight. People are either trying to go green or cut down on gasoline in cars.”

She mentioned South Daytona, Nassau County, Winter Garden and Miramar as some of the Florida locales that have given golf carts a green light on public streets.

Matusick also said Stetson University, whose staff frequently uses golf carts to navigate the campus, also has difficulty with the prohibition, because several public streets run through the campus. There’s also been some interest among Victoria Park residents in using golf carts, she said.

Commissioner Charles Paiva said golf carts cause less wear on city streets, and are a good way for an elderly population to get around. It would be necessary, he said, to clearly define where they could be driven.

“I’m certainly supportive of it if we can define certain areas,” Paiva said.

Commissioner Willie Bright also said he supports the use of golf carts on low-speed streets.

Mayor Bob Apgar also expressed support, but was cautionary about the possible cost of changing the law and communicating the change to residents. He mentioned the need for signage to clarify where golf carts could be driven.

“It needs to be designated areas, and it needs to be a manageable and reasonable, understandable program,” the mayor said.

He also suggested that any change in the law accommodate other alternate forms of energy-saving transportation that might be new to the market as the push grows to use less fossil fuel.

Commissioners instructed the city staff to begin investigating the matter, and Matusick offered to help with research.

Volusia County government also is studying the use of golf carts for neighborhood travel, and the County Council is expected to consider an ordinance soon.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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