MANATEE — Manatee County commissioners voiced support today for residents who want to be able to legally drive their golf carts on sidewalks along a portion of U.S. 301 in Ellenton.
“Government is supposed to be for the people, so let’s be for the people and do what’s right,” Commissioner Ron Getman said.
Residents of Colony Cove, Terra Siesta and other mobile- and manufactured-home parks along U.S. 301 east of Interstate 75 have long driven their golf carts on the 8-foot-wide sidewalks along U.S. 301. But that is against state law, and has led Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies to issue warnings.
Residents sought the county’s support to change the state law or obtain specific permission to be able to use the sidewalks to get to shops, doctors and neighbors.
But how that will be accomplished remains undetermined. Commissioners and county attorneys suggested various ways, from changing the state’s definition of a golf cart to possibly building paths specifically for golf carts.
Commissioners said they would consider adding the issue to their state legislative agenda, which is scheduled to be voted on later today.
The only action commissioners took was to unanimously direct county staff to work with state transportation officials to create a design standard for golf cart paths.
Read Wednesday’s Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch Herald for the complete story.
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