WEST POINT — The Town of West Point recently officially approved a golf cart ordinance to allow the vehicles in a community where they have been used for decades.
The law will allow golf carts on streets where the speed limit is 25 mph or under. However, it only applies to the County Club Estates, a golf course community. Supporters of a more general ordinance to allow golf carts in the town face a longer wait.
Dozens of citizens have expressed support for an ordinance to permit golf carts on downtown streets. In August, a resident submitted a petition signed by about 130 citizens in support of an ordinance on streets posted with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.
Residents who spoke at a public hearing on Oct. 28 said they were disappointed the ordinance didn’t include the downtown area.
Mayor Jack Lawson said the Town Council talked about introducing the ordinance in Country Club Estates first.
“In the past, the Country Club members always thought they could drive their golf carts there until we found out they could not,” he said.
Council members said the Country Club Estates ordinance could represent a pilot for other parts of the town.
Town Council voted 5-2 in favor of the ordinance, which will go into effect on Jan. 1.
The Oct. 28 council meeting was dominated by arguments for and against a 22,000-square-foot Tractor Supply store coming to West Point.
The proposal was deferred to the Nov. 25 meeting to allow staff to work with the developers and neighbors on issues such as hours of operation, the size of a buffer and lighting before making a decision.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
