Golf carts will not be allowed in the Town of Columbus anytime soon.
Columbus Town Council met Thursday, June 21 and failed to make a motion to create a golf cart ordinance.
Columbus Township resident Sandra Gillie approached the town in May, asking officials to consider allowing golf carts on some town roads. Council agreed to research other towns that allow golf cart use and what it would take to create an ordinance in Columbus.
Columbus staff researched other local ordinances from the City of Saluda and the Village of Marvin (in Union County), which allow golf cart use.
Town staff discovered that the town could individually enforce golf cart use within town limits because of a 2009 law passed by the N.C. General Assembly. Prior to the new law, towns had to receive permission from the state through a local bill in order to regulate golf cart use.
When the issue was brought up during council’s June 21 meeting, the proposal died for lack of a motion. During the June 21 meeting, Mayor Eric McIntyre said council was ready to vote on the proposal, but no motion was made to approve the proposal, nor was there any discussion.
The Town of Tryon is also informally looking into the use of golf carts within town limits, but no discussions have occurred publicly on the issue.