MANATEE — Ellenton residents hoping to legally drive their golf carts on U.S. 301’s wide sidewalks got an ally Tuesday: Manatee County commissioners.
Commissioners said they will urge changes in a state law that bans golf carts on sidewalks, adding the issue to their legislative agenda for next year’s session.
“Government is supposed to be for the people, so let’s be for the people and do what’s right,” Commissioner Ron Getman said.
The board’s support pleased more than a dozen residents of Colony Cove, Terra Siesta and other mobile-home and manufactured-home communities along U.S. 301 at the meeting.
They said they have long driven their carts along the highway’s sidewalks to go shopping, see doctors and visit friends, saying that driving on U.S. 301 has become increasingly dangerous.
Residents said they were told the wide sidewalks were installed to accommodate golf carts, but a county transportation official said it actually was because there are no bicycle lanes on that section of U.S. 301.
But many stopped using the sidewalks in July, when the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents of the state law and began issuing warnings. That has forced many to use their cars, or skip their trips altogether because they are unable or can’t afford to drive, residents said.
“With so many living on Social Security and gas prices the way they area, many can’t afford a car,” said Frances Glaser, who lives in Terra Siesta.
Commissioners agreed to support the residents, but said they can’t change state law. Instead, they discussed possible alternatives that ranged from asking the Legislature to change the state definition of a golf cart to building golf cart-only paths along county roads, which officials said could be costly.
County attorneys also said allowing golf carts on sidewalks could present liability issues, and could be difficult to limit to just golf carts.
Still, “I’d rather them to be there (on the sidewalk) than be on the road,” Commissioner Carol Whitmore said. “We really need to help these people.”
Commissioners also directed county staff to work with state transportation officials on a standard design for golf cart paths.
Also Thursday, commissioners approved amended contracts with their administrator and attorney, and said they need to discuss how they approach proposed development.
The amended contracts do not change County Administrator Ed Hunzeker and County Attorney Tedd Williams’ salaries, but makes them eligible to receive the same annual raise that commissioners get from the state. The contracts also double severance pay, from six months to a year, should a majority of commissioners vote to fire Hunzeker or Williams.
Commissioner Joe McClash cast the only ‘No’ vote, saying he opposed the higher severance package. But other commissioners said it was standard at other counties.
Commissioners also said they want a work session to assess how they handle proposed development, especially sprawl, while splitting 4-3 to approve a 61-lot single-family subdivision off Gettis Lee Road in northern Manatee. Dissenting commissioners said the Stonewood Estates project is sprawl and opposed the developer’s plans to install wells and septic tanks.
The work session has not yet been scheduled.
Duane Marsteller, transportation/growth and development reporter, can be reached at 745-7080, ext. 2630.
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