VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) — The Virginia Beach City Council decided two neighborhood groups will get their wish of being able to drive golf carts on residential streets.
During a City Council meeting Tuesday night, the decision was unanimous. The vote was on an ordinance to add Ashville Park and the Chesapeake Bay, East of Northampton Boulevard, to the list of neighborhoods where driving golf carts are legal.
Ronald Gillman works in the Chic's Beach area, and he said he sees the addition of golf carts as a positive for the neighborhood.
"I think it's another way of getting around the community and enjoying the people who are in your neighborhood," Gillman said.
He added he has concerns that children and teenagers will drive the golf carts underage but believes with proper supervision that legalization of golf cart traffic is a great idea.
Alan LeSiege, who lives by the beach in one of the neighborhoods in questions, said his wife was all for the idea of allowing golf carts.
"She likes the idea of the golf cart, for sure," he said. "She was ready to go down and vote if they needed her signature somewhere."
Beetle Bailey, also known as the unofficial mayor of Chic’s Beach, was at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It took 75 percent of the neighborhood, and tonight was a great thing that finally came to a head,” said Bailey.
Bailey said he was having dinner at Buoy 44 one night, with his friend Fireman Roy, when they determined it just wasn’t fair that some Virginia Beach neighborhoods allowed golf carts, but theirs did not.
“So he came up with a petition, and he and I have been beating on doors, and riding bicycles around the neighborhood, and grabbing people while they are walking down to the beach, and in two and a half years we finally have enough signatures,” said Bailey.
City Councilman Ben Davenport said he hadn’t heard of any opposition.
“Everybody in the community has rallied behind this, and as a result of it we are bringing it to a reality,” said Davenport.
The city said the golf carts will be treated just like any other vehicle, whether it be a car, truck or motorcycle. You have to have a license to drive and police can pull you over for any violation, whether it be drunk driving or blowing through a stop sign.
“This will be heavily regulated, children will not be allowed to drive on these golf carts without adult supervision,” said Davenport. “We’re excited for the community, we’re excited to see how this turns out and we’re monitoring the situation.”
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