HUNTINGTON — The majority of Huntington City Common Council members voted Tuesday, July 9, against a proposed golf cart ordinance for the city.

The council had tabled ordinance, 6-C-24, at a previous meeting so a subcommittee could update it to limit the streets where people could drive golf carts in the community.

The Golf Cart Subcommittee members, Council Members Dave Funk and PJ Felton said they instead took out the language so golf carts couldn’t travel across U.S. Route 24 and removed side-by-side utility carts. They emphasized that they wanted to bring the ordinance back to the council for an annual evaluation. They both voted in favor of the ordinance that failed to pass five to two.

In an effort to try to keep the ordinance viable, Council Member Charlie Chapman motioned to table it again to pilot permission in specific subdivisions or homeowner associations. That failed as the motion was made after the vote.

Additional discussion included people attempting to drive them on city trails and streets that are not wide enough, but where citizens ride electric bicycles and mopeds.

During an April subcommittee meeting, attendees suggested that drivers be 18 rather than 16 years old to be safe and legal, which is the guideline for Roanoke’s golf cart ordinance.

Huntington’s Code 158 shows several special use exceptions, for example, on campgrounds, farmland, cemeteries, golf courses and at public parks, to name a few, as well as prior approval by the Huntington Board of Public Works and Safety for events.

Huntington County resident Hank Miller spoke against the ordinance during public comment, believing that it would be dangerous in the city compared to where he lives in the county and where carts are considered status symbols.

Huntington City-Clerk Christy McElhaney after the meeting said, “The only way it can come back to the council if it’s introduced under a different ordinance number.”
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