McKinney City Council members discussed the city’s current ordinance and potential changes that could be implemented to it at a Sept. 17 work session meeting. Council members expressed a consensus to allow for golf cart operations on all city public roadways with accompanying requirements and regulations.
The gist
Golf carts can currently be operated in McKinney in two circumstances, according to a presentation at the meeting, including:
- Within a master-planned community
- When traveling to and from a golf course within 5 miles during the daytime and on a street with a maximum posted speed of 35 mph
Under these rules, golf carts are required to have a slow-moving vehicle emblem on the rear and be built in compliance with federal regulations, the presentation states. A person driving a golf cart must also have a valid driver’s license and follow the same traffic laws as cars. Golf carts are also not allowed to be operated on a sidewalk.
For more information on current golf cart operations requirements in the city of McKinney, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/1514/golf-carts.
A proposed change would allow for golf carts to be operated on public roads within the city that have a maximum posted speed limit of 35 mph. This operation would require golf carts to have license plates and motor vehicle insurance, Ellenburg said, as well as be equipped with:
- Headlamps
- Taillamps
- Reflectors
- A parking brake
- Mirrors
A legislative change in 2009 allowed for the operation of golf carts in master-planned communities and on public roads when traveling to a golf course, city documents state.
Later legislative changes to the Texas Transportation Code gave municipalities the ability to require golf carts to be licensed and have various safety enhancements. Cities were also given the ability to prohibit or authorize golf cart operation on public roads not within master-planned communities, according to the presentation.
McKinney City Council members were presented with three options for consideration at the Sept. 17 meeting. Option 1 would be to change nothing and defer to state law, which only allows golf cart operation in master-planned communities and when traveling under 5 miles to golf courses. Option 2 would be to prohibit golf cart operation on all public city roadways.
Option 3 would allow golf cart operation on all city roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, with the driver possessing a drivers license, motor vehicle insurance and all mandated safety equipment on the golf cart. This option would not affect golf cart operation in master-planned communities, which do not have the same requirements for insurance and equipment, the presentation states.
“Everybody has a strong opinion on golf carts,” Ellenburg said. “We’ve heard from people that, of course, want the golf carts in different parts of town, especially [the] downtown area. We field numerous complaints of people who don’t want golf carts because they can be viewed as a traffic hazard, a liability.”
Ellenburg noted that other common complaints include golf carts being driven by children, golf carts being driven on sidewalks and golf carts being used to “[circumvent] carpool lines at the schools during pickup or drop off,” he said.
“Believe it or not, golf carts [are] a big issue in the city of McKinney,” Ellenburg said.
What they’re saying
Three community members spoke in support of allowing golf cart operation on public roads throughout the city at the meeting, including East McKinney resident Celeste Cox.
“Golf carts are easier to park and take up less space,” Cox said. “They foster a unique sense of community and camaraderie, especially in areas where lots of residents own them. Many times as I’m driving down the street, people wave at me and say ‘Hello.’”
Multiple City Council members expressed support for Option 3, noting that the change would permit the operation of golf carts in downtown McKinney.
“There’s only a few places in McKinney where this isn’t allowed today, and that’s mainly old McKinney where we don’t have [homeowners’ associations],” council member Justin Beller said.
Beller also noted his support of Option 3, noting the impact it has on traffic in downtown.
“I like having [golf carts] in downtown,” Beller said. “They seem to slow traffic down a little bit on a lot of our streets.”
No citations have been given for operating a golf cart downtown, Ellenburg said. He also mentioned that there is a safety risk associated with operating golf carts on roadways.
“I believe the police department's stance on golf carts, if driven compatible with state law, has really been focused solely on the safety issue,” Ellenburg said. “Golf carts do not fare well when they have a collision or wreck, or they’re hit by a motor vehicle. They’re not equipped with seat belts nor doors.”
Quote of note
“I just want to make sure that we do a decent job, at least down here in the Historic District, about education as we move forward,” council member Geré Feltus said, noting her support for Option 3. “I’d like to see a good marketing strategy put in place so that the community is updated on all of the things required.”
Looking ahead
No action was taken on the item at the meeting. Council members gave direction to the city’s attorney and public safety staff, and ordinance amendments will be drafted for consideration by the council.
A date for when the ordinance amendments will be presented to the council has not yet been determined, Director of Strategic Services Trevor Minyard said in an email.
