Sec. 26-232. - Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated streets.
Sec. 26-233. - Procedure for designation of streets for golf cart and utility vehicle operations.
Sec. 26-234. - Designated streets for golf cart and utility vehicle use.
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall, for the purposes of this article, have the meanings respectfully ascribed to them:
Golf cart means a self-propelled vehicle that is designed to transport persons playing golf and their equipment on a golf course.
Multi-purpose path means that area of a public street designated by the city for pedestrian travel, and use by golf carts, and utility vehicles.
Sidewalk means that area of a public street set aside or used for pedestrian travel which is parallel to and within the boundary lines of a street.
Street means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the city, including the streets and alleys, and, for law-enforcement purposes, the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets that have been specifically designated "highways", as that term is defined in § 46.2-100 of the State Code, by ordinance, and also including sidewalks and multi-purpose paths.
"Utility vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is (i) designed for off-road use, (ii) powered by an internal combustion engine of no more than twenty-five (25) horsepower or an electric motor which restricts the speed of the utility vehicle to less than thirty-five (35) miles per hour, and (iii) used for general maintenance, security, agricultural, or horticultural purposes. "Utility vehicle" does not include all-terrain vehicles as defined in § 46.2-915.1 of the State Code, riding lawn mowers, or any other vehicle whose definition is included in § 46.2-100 of the State Code.
(Ord. No. 6106-05, § 1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a golf cart or utility vehicle on or over any street, sidewalk, or multi-purpose path in the city, except as provided in this article.
(Ord. No. 6106-05, § 1)
Sec. 26-232. - Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated streets.
(a)
Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated streets shall be in accordance with the following limitations:
(1)
A golf cart or utility vehicle may be operated only on designated streets where the posted speed limit is twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less. No golf cart or utility vehicle shall cross any street at an intersection where the street being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour;
(2)
No person shall operate any golf cart or utility vehicle on any street unless he has in his possession a valid driver's license;
(3)
Every golf cart or utility vehicle, whenever operated on a street, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with § 46.2-1081 of the State Code; and
(4)
Golf carts and utility vehicles shall be operated on designated streets only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are required in Article 3 (§ 46.2-1010 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of the State Code.
(5)
Golf carts and utility vehicles operating on designated streets pursuant to this article shall be insured by a policy of liability insurance with coverage of not less than three hundred thousand dollars (three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per accident. In lieu of coverage provided by an insurance policy, the owner of such a golf carts or utility vehicles may self-insure the liability coverage if the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has issued a certificate of self-insurance pursuant to § 46.2-368 of the State Code.
(b)
The limitations of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to golf carts and utility vehicles being operated as follows:
(1)
To cross a street from one (1) part of a golf course to another part thereof, or to another adjacent golf course; or to travel between a person's home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer than one-half (½) mile in either direction, and (ii) the speed limit on the street is no more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour;
(2)
To the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon streets within the city, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on streets with speed limits of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less; and
(3)
As necessary by employees of public or private two-year or four-year institutions of higher education if operating on streets within the property limits of such institutions, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on streets with speed limits of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less.
(Ord. No. 6106-05, § 1)
Sec. 26-233. - Procedure for designation of streets for golf cart and utility vehicle operations.
(a)
No street or portion thereof may be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles unless that portion of the street has been reviewed and approved for such usage by the city council and designated for such use in this article.
(b)
Prior to approving a street or portion thereof for use by golf carts and utility vehicles, the city council shall (i) consider the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such streets, and (ii) determine that golf cart and utility vehicle operation on a particular street is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth's Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in Section 33.1-23.03:001 of the state code, after receiving a recommendation as to such use from the city manager.
(c)
No street or portion thereof shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.
(Ord. No. 6106-05, § 1)
Sec. 26-234. - Designated streets for golf cart and utility vehicle use.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the city code to the contrary, the following portions of streets in the city are designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles in accordance with the provisions of this article and state law:
(a)
A crossing located on Warwick Boulevard at its intersection with Sweetbriar Drive extending east along Sweetbriar Drive a distance of approximately four hundred (400) feet. Golf carts and utility vehicles shall travel in the proper travel lane with the direction of the traffic flow, and shall obey all traffic signs and signals. Golf carts and utility vehicles shall not travel along Warwick Boulevard, or on the sidewalks of Warwick Boulevard or Sweetbriar Drive outside the limits of the designated crossing except to cross the sidewalks at a right angle to proceed from the paved portion of the street to the adjacent property.
(b)
Along multi-purpose paths on both sides of Avenue of the Arts extending from its intersection with the southerly right-of-way line of Shoe Lane to the westerly right-of-way line of Warwick Boulevard. Crossings are restricted to median breaks and areas adjacent to marked pedestrian crossings. Golf carts and utility vehicles may not travel along Shoe Lane, Warwick Boulevard, or on their adjacent sidewalks, and may only travel within the limits of the multi-purpose path along Avenue of the Arts or cross its sidewalks at a right angle to proceed from the paved portion of the street to the multi-purpose path or adjacent property.
(c)
A crossing located on Moore's Lane North adjacent to the pedestrian crossing/speed table which joins the Christopher Newport University athletic fields, and is located approximately five hundred (500) feet south of the intersection of Moore's Lane North with the southerly right-of-way line of Prince Drew Road. Golf carts and utility vehicles may not travel along Moore's Lane North, or on its sidewalks outside the limits of the designated crossing except to cross the sidewalk at a right angle to proceed from the paved portion of the street to the adjacent property.
(d)
A crossing located on Prince Drew Road adjacent to the pedestrian crossing which is located approximately three hundred (300) feet west of the intersection of Prince Drew Road and the westerly right-of-way line of Warwick Boulevard. Golf carts and utility vehicles may not travel along Prince Drew Road, or on its sidewalks outside the limits of the designated crossing except to cross the sidewalks at a right angle to proceed from the paved portion of the street to the adjacent property.
(e)
Along the designated path on both sides of Museum Drive from its intersection with East Boundary Road to its intersection with Museum Parkway. Golf cart and utility vehicle crossings are restricted to areas where Museum Drive is either undivided or where median crossovers exist. Golf carts and utility vehicles shall travel along Museum Drive only within the limits of such designated paths.
(Ord. No. 6106-05, § 1; Ord. No. 6138-05)