By DAVE SCHULTZ
An ordinance was introduced during Wednesday’s Markle Town Council meeting that will allow for utility terrain vehicles to be driven on town streets, much the way golf carts are allowed to do now.
Council President Matthew Doss said the issue “sprung up organically” from town residents, culminating in the introduction of the revised ordinance Wednesday night.
No vote was taken as only Doss and fellow council member Blake Caley were present for the meeting. Nick Lund, the council’s third member, was not present Wednesday night.
Doss reviewed the highlights of the ordinance. It would authorize the operation of golf carts “and certain utility vehicles” on city streets. They will not be allowed on state highways (U.S. 224, Ind. 3, and Ind. 116) in town. UTVs would be considered “slow-moving vehicles” and will not be allowed to exceed 20 miles per hour. An orange triangle would be required on the UTVs.
They also can’t be operated at night without headlamps and taillights that are visible from 500 feet away.
Doss said he had contacted three Indiana communities — Seymour, Avilla, and Hamilton — to discuss how golf carts and UTVs were handled.
Seymour — a community of more than 21,000 residents — turned them down after some residents complained that they would cause traffic congestion. Avilla and Hamilton — with populations of 2,401 and 1,532, respectively — said their residents welcomed the vehicles and even eased traffic concerns. Hamilton does not require the orange triangle placards, Doss said.
By comparison, Markle’s populaton is 1,481 as of the 2020 cencus.
Doss said the new ordinance would require proof of financial responsibility and an individual must have a driver’s license to operate the vehicles. The carts and UTVs must be registered with the town.
A public hearing on the revised ordinance will be held at the next meeting of the town council, scheduled for Aug. 17.
daves@news-banner.com
