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Board sets public hearing to consider allowing golf carts in Lake Holiday community
Summary
Frederick County staff asked the Board to set a public hearing on an ordinance that would allow golf carts on roads designated as public within the Lake Holiday community; the board voted to set the hearing for June 11.
County staff told the Board of Supervisors on May 14 that the county is considering an ordinance that would permit golf carts on streets within the Lake Holiday community if the community’s private streets are formally designated as public highways by the county.
“The proposal is to approve the use of golf carts within the Lake Holiday,” a county presenter said during the public-safety committee report. The presenter said the proposed change would allow golf carts only on private streets that have been specifically designated as highways by an ordinance adopted by the county governing body and approved for golf-cart use; the change would not allow golf carts on other county roads unless the board later amends the ordinance.
Staff cited state requirements that would apply: carts may only be driven on streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or lower; drivers must have a valid driver’s license; each golf cart must display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem; carts without lights may be used only between sunrise and sunset; passengers must not exceed the vehicle’s recommended capacity. Staff also said the community’s governing body (HOA/POA) would be responsible for purchasing and maintaining any signs required inside the community, and that the community’s governing body could adopt more restrictive rules if it chose.
The county’s public-safety committee had unanimously recommended sending the draft ordinance to a public hearing. The board voted to set that hearing for June 11 so Lake Holiday residents could comment. The vote to set the public hearing was recorded as a roll-call vote and carried with a majority present; Supervisor Dunn was absent.
Staff and the presenter emphasized that the ordinance as written would apply only within Lake Holiday and that any other community seeking an allowance for golf carts would need to pursue the same formal designation and approval process.
If the board approves the ordinance after public comment, affected communities would still be required to meet the state rules and could add their own restrictions. Staff said government workers and utility crews remain exempt under the cited state code provision and would continue to use carts for work activities.
