ORDINANCE NO. 954 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LYNN HAVEN, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 66 OF THE LYNN HAVEN CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES; DESIGNATING CERTAIN CITY STREETS WITHIN LIMITED ACCESS SUBDIVISIONS FOR GOLF CART USE; DEFINING AND ENUMERATING LIMITED ACCESS SUBDIVISIONS; REGULATING CONDITIONS OF GOLF CART OPERATION ON CITY STREETS; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Lynn Haven (the Commission ) has received requests from citizens to authorize the use of golf carts on city streets; and WHEREAS, the Commission is authorized by Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, to designate certain city streets on which golf carts may be used and operated upon a determination that golf carts may safely travel or cross such streets; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has considered the request and recommended such use on certain city streets; and WHEREAS, the Commission has reviewed the Manager s recommendation, and has likewise considered the speed, volume, and character of traffic using those streets, based upon examination of maps identifying the streets within the City and their own knowledge of the City and road corridors at issue; and Page 1 of 6
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution and Section 316.212, Florida Statutes, authorize the City to permit and regulate the use of golf carts on city streets, and WHEREAS, the City finds that golf carts may travel on certain city streets within restricted access subdivision safely and that the prohibition of operation on other streets and other reasonable regulations for golf cart operation are in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare. BE IT HEREBY ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF LYNN HAVEN, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. From and after the effective date of this ordinance, Chapter 66 of the Lynn Haven Code of Ordinances (the Lynn Haven Code ) is amended to read as follows (deleted text, stricken; new text, double underlined and bold; comments, [bracketed and italics]): Sec. 66-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed thereto: * * * [All definitions in this section remain unchanged and the following are added] Golf Cart means a motor vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes, which is generally not capable of exceeding speeds in excess of 20 mph Limited Access Subdivision means a platted subdivision built as a unified whole with a limited number of access points to major commercial roads and with posted speed limits within such subdivision of under 35 mph. Limited Access Subdivisions shall be specifically enumerated in this chapter and depicted on a map maintained by the City. * * * Page 2 of 6
[Sections 66-2 through 66-5 remain unchanged] Sec. 66-6. Golf Cart Operation in Limited Access Subdivisions. (a) Use Permitted. Golf carts are permitted to operate within and upon city streets within the Limited Access Subdivisions enumerated below: Azalea Place Belaire Estates Belaire Estates Unit One Brookwood Camryn s Crossing Gulf Coast Village Hammocks North and South Hawk s Landing Magnolia Meadows Millpoint Landing Mowat Highlands North Haven Estates Osprey Cove Palmetto Ridge Panama Country Club Pine Forest Estates Pines of Lynn Haven Ravenwood Shadow Ridge The Landings The Meadows & The Pointe Page 3 of 6
Timbers Water Oak Plantation Windwood Woodrun (b) Prohibited Streets. Golf carts may not operate upon any city, county, or state street within the City of Lynn Haven that are not located within a Limited Access Subdivision listed in Section 66-6(a). Golf carts shall be permitted to cross any street in the City only at such points as are designated by resolution of the City, the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, or the Florida Department of Transportation, and marked as crossing points with official signage. (c) Operational Requirements. It shall be unlawful to operate a golf cart on any street within the city unless: 1. The operator holds a valid, current driver's license, or, if the operator is under the age of 16, a person who possesses a valid, current driver's license must be a passenger in the golf cart. Under no circumstances may any person under the age of 14 operate a golf cart on any public road in the City. 2. The golf cart is operated between the hours of sunrise and sunset, provided that a golf cart equipped with integrated headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield may operate at any time; 3. The golf cart is operated in accordance with State or City traffic regulations; 4. Such operation does not obstruct or interfere with normal traffic flow; 5. The golf cart carries no more passengers than the number for which the golf cart was designed to carry; and Page 4 of 6
6. The golf cart is installed with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices on both the front and rear. (d) Penalty. A violation of Section 66-6(b) or Section 66-6(c), above, is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318, Florida Statutes, or the general penalty provided by the Lynn Haven Code. SECTION 2. The map depicting the Limited Access Subdivisions above and attached to this Ordinance is hereby adopted and designates the areas for gold cart operation in the City. SECTION 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 4. The appropriate officers and agents of the City are authorized and directed to codify, include and publish the provisions of this Ordinance within the Lynn Haven Code, and unless a contrary ordinance is adopted within ninety (90) days following such publication, the codification of this Ordinance shall become the final and official record of the matters herein ordained. Section numbers may be assigned and changed whenever necessary or convenient. SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage. Page 5 of 6
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of, 2012. CITY OF LYNN HAVEN, FLORIDA ATTEST: BY: Walter T. Kelley, Mayor John B. Lynch, City Manager/Clerk First Reading: Second Reading: Page 6 of 6