A split Fruitland Park Commission approved the second reading of an ordinance Thursday night that will continue to allow golf cart traffic on portions of Dixie Avenue.
The roadway, also known as County Road 25A, is largely considered the main thoroughfare through the city. Many golf cart drivers use it to access the minimart and the post office on County Road 466A through a side entrance off Dixie.
The ordinance, which passed on a 3-2 vote on both first and second readings, had been tabled twice because Vice Mayor John Gunter and Commissioner Ray Lewis, respectively, missed meetings where the controversial issue was on the agenda.
Commissioner Rick Ranize and Lewis cast the two votes against the ordinance. Both had expressed concerns about the safety factor of allowing golf carts on Dixie Avenue, with Ranize admitting before the first reading that he had “lost that battle.”
Commissioner Chris Bell had been adamant about continuing to allow golf cart travel on Dixie. Bell and Gunter, who also voted “yes” on the matter, represent constituents who live along the roadway and would have been negatively impacted by the change.
Mayor Chris Cheshire said he made the decision to support the ordinance after some considerable thought. He finally decided that he’d be OK with it if more signs were put up for safety purposes, he said.
The ordinance says that golf carts can be operated on all public roads and streets (see map) within the city limits of Fruitland Park where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less unless noted. And in addition to Dixie Avenue, it lists Lake County roads Cooke Drive, Shiloh Street, Urick Street, Myrtle Lake Avenue, Pine Ridge Dairy Road, Cutoff Road and designated crossing spots on County Road 468 and CR 466A (Miller Street) as acceptable for travel.
The ordinance also says that operating golf carts on sidewalks is prohibited, as is having someone under the age of 14 at the wheel. The golf carts must meet the minimum equipment standards established by Florida Statutes and drivers may be ticketed for traffic violations in the same manner as motor vehicles.
The ordinance does not affect golf cart travel in The Villages portion of the city.
