TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending Section 74-151 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Relating to the Operation of Golf Carts on Designated Sidewalk Segments; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-33 as presented and continue to second reading on December 8, 2026.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-33 as presented and continue to second reading on December 8, 2026.
Pros: Approval would establish a regulated framework for golf cart use on eligible sidewalk segments along U.S. 41 while providing safety requirements such as an eight-foot minimum width, 15-mph speed limit, required equipment, and signage. The Sarasota County Commission recently authorized golf cart use on designated sidewalk segments along U.S. 41 within unincorporated Sarasota County. This ordinance would allow golf cart access to continue from the County into the City limits of North Port.
Cons: Allowing golf carts on sidewalks shared with pedestrians and bicyclists could increase the potential for conflicts and safety concerns. Implementation may also involve additional signage and compliance.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance No. 2026-33.
Pros: Denial would maintain the City's existing restrictions on golf cart operation and avoid additional golf cart traffic on sidewalks used by pedestrians and bicyclists.
Cons: Denial would prevent golf cart users from continuing along the U.S. 41 multi-use path from the County into the City. Residents would not be able to use their golf carts to access destinations within the City, such as stores and gas stations.
Option 3: Provide direction to revise the ordinance and bring it back for a second reading at a later date.
Pros: ...
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