By DAVE SCHULTZ
A change in the city’s “golf cart ordinance is now in effect after the members of the Bluffton Common Council approved it this week.
The issue has been under discussion since Bluffton resident Rodger Popplewell requested earlier this year that the council consider allowing UTVs — utility task vehicles — to operate on city streets. Golf carts have been allowed on city streets since at least 2013, with restrictions such as staying off of streets with speed limits about 30 mph and staying off of state highways unless they are being crossed.
The suggestion to allow UTVs, which are more substantial and almost always faster than golf carts, has provoked a lot of discussion about council members and Bluffton residents as a whole. The council members — Janella Stronczyk, Scott Mentzer, Rick Elwell, Roger Thornton, and Josh Hunt — approved the ordinance revision Tuesday night, suspending the rules to approve it on first and second readings.
Legal notice of the ordinance revision is being published in today’s News-Banner, which means it is now in effect.
Another ordinance revision was approved this week, involving the establishment of a loading zone on Walnut Street behind the American Legion Post Home at 111 W. Washington St. The new loading zone will allow Legion members to bring in items without crossing Walnut Street.
The loading zone request came at the same time the council was asked to restore handicapped parking places in front of the post home. Loading zones must be established by ordinance, however, requiring the council to make a change to city code.
Establishment of the loading zone was approved on both readings last Tuesday night, much as the revision to the golf cart regulations was approved. That ordinance will go into effect Monday, which is when legal notice of the ordinance change will be published in the News-Banner.
daves@news-banner.com
