Last night the Peachtree City Council postponed a vote on a proposed complete ban on gas-powered golf carts within 10 years until its Jan. 20 meeting.
After the meeting, Mayor Don Haddix explained that further questions had popped up about the ordinance
but could not be answered in time for council to make a decision on the matter.
A memo from city staff late last week outlined several concerns about the enforceability of the ban, particularly citing a state law that specifically disallows cities from requiring an inspection of a golf cart as part of the cart registration process.
Reaction to the ban has been mixed. Supporters claim that gas golf carts are a nuisance on the paths because they are smelly and noisy. Some path users, particularly pedestrians, have said the fumes from gas golf carts can become quite noxious.
But proponents have said gas golf carts are more convenient, particularly for people who used them as their sole transportation, due to the flexibility they offer on range.
A gas golf cart doesn’t need to be recharged for several hours, a process that makes it unavailable for use, and instead travels much further on gas power between fill-ups, some citizens have said.
Another concern that has been voiced by residents is the fact that the ban would result in the city depriving citizens of the right to use property they already own, although that likely could be ameliorated if council were to consider grandfathering all existing gas golf carts in the city. So far, however, that suggestion has not been voiced by council.
