Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/121369
Sarasota News Leader April 12, 2013 Page 89 Siesta Seen Wiggins told the board her understanding is that Patterson is correct — that golf carts may be allowed on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph or less if they are "street legal," equipped with headlights and other safety features. "That traffic on Siesta Key's extremely heavy," Barbetta said, "and the odds are pretty good the golf carts are going to get way over to the right [of the road], meaning the pedestrians are going to get hit by the golf carts … So I think we open a can of worms up if we let that Moreover, Wiggins said, the county would happen." have to approve use of golf carts on a county road with the appropriate level of speed limit Barbetta added, "I'd be more worried about before anyone legally could drive a golf cart somebody being hit by a car [if the person is on the road. operating a golf cart] or a golf cart hitting a pedestrian. So we need to give this, really, an When Patterson asked whether the County awful lot of thought and at what point on the Commission ever had given its approval for Key do we cut it off?" use of golf carts on Ocean Boulevard, Wiggins' response was, "Not to my knowledge." Commissioner Christine Robinson pointed out that speed limit reductions usually are re"OK," Patterson said, "but there are golf carts quested to improve safety on a road, but it on Ocean Boulevard … quite often. So that's appeared this petition had been propelled by weird." a different desire. "They may be operating illegally," Wiggins reBefore lowering the speed limit, she said, the plied. "I'm not aware of anything coming to commission should make sure Siesta resithe board designating that [street] as a golf dents have a chance to weigh in on the matter cart use." during community meetings. To which Commissioner Joe Barbetta said sotWiggins concurred that the staff member to voce into his microphone, "Scary." who originally handled the request — who "I'm not trying to stop the golf carts in the Vil- left county employment — had learned the lage," Patterson continued. "I do have a little petition was founded in a desire for golf cart bit of a problem were we to extend this all the usage on the road. way down the county portion of Midnight Pass When a petition is grounded in a safety conand then deal with the state roads as well." cern, Commissioner Charles Hines said, She added, "Siesta Key isn't just a resort area." "There are many, many people … that will Some residents drive to work, for example, show up" for the public hearing on the issue she pointed out, and others — as well as tour- at the TAC meeting. With this agenda item, he ists — drive all over, including down to Turtle pointed out, only the petitioner came to the Beach on the south end. TAC meeting.