Council adopts ordinance to allow certain neighborhood maintenance vehicles on low-speed streets

The Independence City Council adopted on second reading an ordinance (25-060) amending the city code to allow certain neighborhood maintenance implements to operate on city roadways under tightly limited conditions. The ordinance was approved 7-0.

City staff said the amendment is intended to accommodate neighborhood and homeowner associations that use nontraditional, low-speed maintenance vehicles to transport tools, water and landscaping materials when caring for subdivision common areas. The manager clarified the change is "very narrowly tailored" and is not intended to permit all off-road vehicles on streets. "What we're not looking to do is to authorize 4 wheelers on, city streets or to authorize some sort of side by side on city streets or even a golf cart that's not, authorized to be off of a designated path or area," the city manager said.

Staff outlined operational limits: the vehicles are not permitted on roads posted over 35 mph, are not allowed on city trails, must have lights and turn signals and must obey traffic laws. Council member McCandless said the ordinance addresses concerns and that outstanding questions raised in prior sessions had been answered.

The council approved the ordinance on second reading by roll-call vote 7-0. The ordinance amends Independent City Code chapter 18 (traffic) and seeks to balance neighborhood maintenance needs with public safety and traffic regulation.