Council allows permits for larger low-speed mobility devices on Greenway with placard system

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Sept. 2 to allow certain larger low-speed mobility-assist vehicles on the Greenway under a permit-and-placard system. City staff and Greenway Committee members told the council the change responds to residents who need wider mobility devices to access Greenway fishing and recreational areas. Sherry (City Clerk/finance staff) said the process would run through the Finance/City Clerk’s office; applicants would submit an application, pay a small fee and receive a placard to display on the approved vehicle. The permit targets vehicles that exceed an existing width threshold (devices under the existing dimension remain allowed), city staff said; inspection standards and vehicle measurements were developed with the Police Department and the Greenway group. City staff noted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) principle that a declared mobility impairment should generally be accepted unless contradicted by observable facts, but added the permit is aimed at controlling vehicle types on the Greenway while preserving access. "It would be very specific that anyone using this, you're not gonna be able to pile your whole family on there," a city staff member said, describing restrictions on passenger capacity. The council asked staff to provide clearer guidance on whether occasional users without a placard could access the Greenway and requested that the City Attorney clarify whether the permit applies to the vehicle rather than the person. Staff said they would supply that clarification before the second reading. The ordinance passed with a requirement that approved vehicles display a placard so enforcement and Greenway stewards can identify permitted devices.