Submitted By: Tye Chighizola
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Presentation By: Tye Chighizola
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Resolution 2023-24 revising the official golf cart map to include portions of downtown Ocala
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: On December 3, 2019, City Council adopted the golf cart ordinance and on January 7, 2020, adopted a resolution concerning the golf cart map. Staff implemented the ordinance and resolution in June 2020.
Based on the original 2019 request, study area limits were S Pine Avenue (US 441) to the west, SE 25th Avenue to the east, SR 40 to the north, and SR 464 to the south. An assessment of roadways within the study area was done to determine suitability for golf cart use by considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic of each roadway. State roads were not included in this assessment. The research included a review of F.S. § 316.212, F.S. § 316.2122, and golf cart ordinances enacted by other cities in Florida. Research results and roadways recommended for golf cart designation were provided at a City Council Workshop on Golf Cart Ordinance held on July 24, 2019. The adopted 2019 Golf Cart Map boundaries included the neighborhoods north of SE 17th Street, west of SE 25th Avenue, east of SE Watula Avenue, and south of Ft King Street with a few exceptions.
In 2022, City Council requested that staff consider ordinance revisions and a map expansion to include the downtown area. Two public meetings were held on August 18, 2022, to collect community feedback regarding the current golf cart ordinance and the potential expansion of the area. During the meetings, participants expressed concerns about underaged and unlicensed drivers utilizing golf carts for transportation. On November 1, 2022, City Council voted three to two to deny the expansion of the map.
Over the past few months, staff worked with Ocala Main Street and interested citizens concerning a smaller proposed expansion of the map. On Thursday, March 30, 2023, City of Ocala Growth Management staff held two public meetings to again discuss expansion allowing golf carts into the downtown area. The sessions were held at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition at noon and 5:30 p.m. There were 21 individuals in attendance at the noon session, and three at the 5:30 p.m. session. The presentation covered the golf cart ordinance, current approved golf cart map, and the proposed expansion area. During this meeting concerns about safety, parking and enforcement, support for the downtown businesses, economic boosts and expanding the area to include more residential areas were presented by participants.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The proposed map changes will allow golf carts around the downtown square with the boundaries of SW First Avenue to the west, SW/SE Fifth Street to the south and SE Watula Avenue to the east. The proposed area is approximately half the size of the area considered in November 2022. The changes will allow golf carts from the existing southeast neighborhoods to cross SE Watula Avenue into downtown. The changes do not allow golf carts to cross state roads nor do they establish special parking requirements for golf carts.
FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated cost to furnish, install and relocate existing golf cart signage is $15,000. Funding for this project is not budgeted in FY 2022-2023.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: This resolution is pending final review for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Deny
• Table
RESOLUTION 2023-24
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE ADOPTED GOLF CART MAP TO ALLOW GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN CITY STREETS IN DOWNTOWN OCALA; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Whereas, section 316.212, Florida Statutes mandates that golf carts may only be operated upon municipal streets that have been designated by that municipality for use by golf carts; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ocala has the authority pursuant to subsection 66-193(b) of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances to approve, by resolution, a map depicting city streets upon which golf carts may operate; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted a Golf Cart Map by resolution on January 7, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City Council revised the adopted Golf Cart ordinance on November 15, 2022, which addressed modifications to subsections 66-193 and 194 of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ocala desires to amend the adopted Golf Cart Map (Resolution 2020-4) to include certain streets in downtown Ocala for use by golf carts.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled as follows:
1. The streets designated and marked in the Amended Golf Cart Map (Exhibit “A”), are those streets upon which golf carts may operate, subject to the provisions of Article VIII of Chapter 66 of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances.
2. The effective date of the resolution shall be _____, 2023.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session duly assembled as follows:
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2023.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs James P. Hilty Sr.
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney