Okaloosa County BOCC — July 6, 2016 — Amendment of Golf Course Ordinance 21-60.1

ORDINANCE NO. 16- AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 21-60.1 OF CHAPTER 21, ARTICLE III OF THE OKALOOSA COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF GOLF CARTS ON 1ST AVENUE AND PORTIONS OF 8TH STREET WITHIN THE LAKE LORRAINE SUBDIVISION; MAKING FINDINGS; ESTABLISHING CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS FOR THE USE OF GOLF CARTS WITHIN THE LAKE LORRAINE SUBDIVISION; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. RECITALS: WHEREAS, section 316.212, Florida Statutes, authorizes counties to designate certain county roads for lawful operation of golf carts if the County first determines that golf carts may travel on or cross such county roads upon considering the speed, volume and character of the motor vehicle using those county roads; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners (the “Board”) has determined, after considering factors including speed, volume, and the character of motor vehicle traffic within the Lake Lorraine subdivision that golf carts may safely travel on or cross certain public roads and streets within the Lake Lorraine subdivision subject to the restrictions contained herein; and WHEREAS, section 316.212, Florida Statutes, provides that appropriate signs shall be posted to indicate that golf cart operation is allowed; and WHEREAS, the operation of golf carts upon county roads by persons not holding a valid driver’s license constitutes a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public; and WHEREAS, the Board believes that regulations proposed in this Ordinance promote and enhance the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The above recitals are incorporated by reference into this Ordinance and such recitals are adopted as Findings of Fact. 1  SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 21-60.1 OF THE OKALOOSA COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES. C h a p t e r 2 1 , A r t i c l e I I I , section 21-60.1 of the Okaloosa County Code of Ordinances, is amended as follows: Sec. 21-60.1. Use of golf carts within the Lake Lorraine subdivision, Meigs Drive, and Dogwood Drive, 1st Avenue, and portions of 8th Street areas of unincorporated Shalimar. Golf carts may travel on county-maintained roads within the Lake Lorraine subdivision (East of 12th Avenue/12th Street and 4th Avenue) and Meigs Drive, and Dogwood Drive, 1st Avenue, and 8th Street between 1st Avenue and Meigs Drive areas in unincorporated Shalimar and with the following restrictions: (1) A golf cart is defined as a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. (2) A golf cart may be operated on county-maintained roads only between the hours of sunrise and sunset. (3) A golf cart may only be operated upon a residential roadway with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less that is clearly posted for use by golf carts. (4) A golf cart may not be operated upon 12th Avenue, 12th Street, 4th Avenue, 8th Street north of 1st Avenue, 3rd Street, 2nd Street, or Old Ferry Road north of Meigs Drive and signs shall be posted to notify drivers of this restriction. (5) The number of passengers shall be restricted to the number of seats on the golf cart. All p