Goshen council to discuss golf carts on streets
May 10—GOSHEN — Are golf carts a good idea on Goshen streets and roads? The Goshen Common Council is set to discuss the issue at its 6 p.m. Monday meeting at 111 E. Jefferson St. in the City Court/Council room.
City Clerk-Treasurer Richard Aguirre said that Ordinance 5184, "Authorizing the Use of Golf Carts and Off-Road Vehicles on Highways under the Jurisdiction of the City of Goshen, Indiana and Imposing Requirements for Such," will be a topic of discussion.
From said ordinance, Aguirre notes that there are a number of provisions to encourage the safe use of golf carts in the city. These include a speed limit (no more than 25 mph), a sunrise-to-sunset operation period (unless the cart has headlights, taillights, brake lights, flashing lights and turn signals), a seatbelt restraint requirement, a minimum age for operators (16), a driver's license requirement and a required city permit.
"Traditionally golf carts and other off-road vehicles were not allowed to use community roads, streets and highways, primarily for safety reasons, but that has begun to change across the country because of the popularity of these vehicles and the fact more of them are equipped with safety devices," Aguirre said Friday by email. "Like other communities, the city of Goshen is considering this ordinance in response to resident requests and also because these low-speed vehicles already can be used in unincorporated areas of Elkhart County."
Aguirre said that while those who have these vehicles probably would like the option of driving them in the city, it's hard to know what drivers of conventional vehicles might think about this proposal.
"In recent years, more Goshen residents have expressed concern about traffic, and the presence of these slower-moving vehicles might not be welcomed," he said. "Other drivers may be concerned about the visibility of golf carts and the consequences of any collisions involving them as some also worry about the continued presence of horses and buggies on our roads.
"Still, it's hard to know whether Goshen residents will respond to this proposal with either strong support, opposition or indifference. Regardless, people will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal at Monday's council meeting, and I'd encourage them to attend and state their opinions. This will be a great opportunity to engage with the mayor and councilors about an intriguing idea."
APARTMENT COMPLEX
On Tuesday, the Goshen Redevelopment Commission will meet at 3 p.m. also in the City Court Room/Council Chambers at 111 E. Jefferson St.
Among the agenda items is a "Request to Approve Economic Development Agreement with Kosene & Kosene for the Undeveloped 13-acres at the Northeast Corner of Plymouth Avenue and Greene Road."
The website for the $40 million, 200-unit multifamily project is https://koseneandkosene.com/projects/the-flats-of-goshen/
Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at steve.wilson@goshennews.com.
