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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09091986 - T.3 77 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD., PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: September 9, 1986 SUBJECT: Request From Residents In Discovery Bay to Operate Motorized Golf Carts on Public Streets Within the Discovery Bay Development, Byron Specific Requests or Recommendations & Background & Justification RECOMMENDATION Deny request for the primary reason that golf carts can be operate on County maintained streets without County approval providing cart owners obtain vehicle registration for their carts from the State Department of Motor Vehicles . FINANCIAL IMPACT None REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND At the request of Supervisor Torlakson, the Board of Supervisors set September 9, 1986, at 10:30 a .m, as the date and time for a public hearing to consider this request .. Some time ago , approximately 90 residents of Discovery Bay sent a petition to the Board of Supervisors requesting that the Board approve the operation of motorized golf carts on public streets within the Discovery Bay Development, pursuant to Section 21115 of the California Vehicle Code. On August 28, 1986, members of the Public Works Department attended a meeting of the Discovery Bay Property Owners Association at which time this matter was thoroughly discuss- ed with approximately 35 residents who attended this meeting. The Public Works Department was informed that previous to this meeting, the Property Owners Association had sent out 1,600 questionnaires to its members requesting their opinion on the matter of operating golf carts on these public streets. Of the 1 ,600' questionnaires , the Association received 325 responses . Of the 325 responses approximately 275 were in favor of permitting golf carts on these streets and approximately 50 were opposed . The Public Works Department was also informed that the current operators of the golf club and course will only be issuing 100 memberships , for a three year period , to property owners in Discovery Bay whose property lies outside of the immediate confines of the golf course property. At this time , the exact number of golf carts that will be generated on public streets due to the 100 golf club memberships is unknown. The Public Works Department has been informed that owners of golf carts may register their golf carts with the State Department of Motor Vehicles . Upon obtaining golf cart registration , the owners could operate their carts on County maintained streets within Discovery Bay which do not have a posted speed limit of more than 25 mph, without County approval . Also, if cart owners obtain vehicle registration from the State , t ems could be used as general purpose utility vehicles and they would not be restricted to golf course activity as required in Section 21115 of the California Vehicle Code. The reasons that the Public Works Department recommends that the Board of Supervisors deny the request are: 1. Current California Vehicle Code already allows the use of golf carts on public roads . Special action by the Board is not needed . 2. Special authorization pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21115 will only allow use of golf carts to and from a golf course if the home of the user is in the .immediate vicinity of the golf course. This special provision will be difficult to enforce .. 3. Under California Vehicle Code 21115, golf carts are exempted from safety "equipment requirements . We feel that certain safety equipment should be on golf carts if they are to be operated on public streets. This is a significant issue since these golf carts would be sharing the same traffic lane with other motor vehicles . 4. Special signing is not required . 5 . A consent by the Board of Supervisors is not required , which may lessen the liability exposure of the County. The Sheriff' s Department has informed the Public Works Department that they concur with the Public Works Departments recommendation . v - Board of Supervisors September 9, 1986 Page 2 However, if the Board of Supervisors approves the use of motorized golf carts on County maintained streets within Discovery Bay for the sole purpose of traveling between the residents homes and the golf course, I have the following recommendation. 1 . Pursuant to Section 21115 of the California Vehicle Code, the Board of Supervisors should adopt the appropriate traffic resolution to permit operation of golf carts within Discovery Bay. 2. Said Traffic Resolution should state that golf cart operators shall : a) Possess a valid California Drivers License. b) Not drive golf carts on County maintained streets at a speed greater than 25 mph . c) Not operate golf carts on streets that have a posted speed limit higher than 25 mph, i .e ., that portion of Discovery Bay Boulevard between State Highway 4 and Willow Lake Road. d) Conform to all- of the provisions of the California Vehicle Code while operating golf carts on County maintained roads , including but not limited to, certain minimum equipment requirements such as golf carts shall be 'equipped with proper brakes , lights , reflectors and horn, etc. e) Only operate the golf carts for the sole purpose of traveling between the residents home and the golf course which distance shall not exceed 1 mile. 3. Authorize the Public Works Director to install the appropriate signs to properly post notice of golf cart usage on all of the public streets within Discovery Bay at an estimated cost of $4,000. Said cost to install signs to be provided by the applicants who have petitioned the Board . 4. Instruct Public Works Director to submit status report to Board of Supervisors regarding the operation of golf carts on streets within Discovery Bay two years after initial approval by the Board of Supervisors . CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION Continued on attachment: yes Signature: Recommendation of County Administrator XRecommendatioli of Board rnunittee Approve Other: Signature(s): Action of Board on: 9� /9�� Approved as Recommended ✓Other _Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN /Unanimous- (Absent ) AND ENTERED' ON THE MINUTES OF THE Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN. Absent:-- Abstain: Attested Orig. Div..: Public Works (RE) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR LLV:ly BO:9.T9 By DEPUTY C RK cc: P. Batchelor, County Administrator V.J. Westman, County Counsel R. Rainey, Sheriff/Coroner R.C . Oliver, CHP C . McDonald, President Discovery Bay Property Owners Assoc. HH./4.J. DeVoto, 750 Beaver Ln, Byron