Planning commission approves home-based golf-cart rental with conditions

The Milford Planning & Zoning Commission on May 20 approved a business license application allowing Tuscan Curtis to operate a golf-cart rental business from his home at 840 South 500 West under a conditioned operating agreement.

Commissioners approved the application under permitted-use item 16 — "any other uses deemed by the planning and zoning commission to be in harmony with listed permitted uses" — citing its similarity to the district's allowance for golf courses. The motion, made by Commissioner Chancey Carter and seconded by Commissioner Garland Walker, passed with the commission voting "Aye." The motion limits the operation to no more than five rental golf carts, prohibits signage advertising rentals at the residence, requires that rental carts be stored in the owner's rear yard or inside an enclosed structure, and directs customers not to park in neighboring properties.

Planning Administrator Lisa Thompson told the commission the use is not explicitly listed in the zoning district but could be authorized under the "in harmony" clause or as a home occupation if the commission chose to amend that ordinance. "In his zoning district, it doesn't specifically list this use," Thompson said, adding that the city’s home-occupation rules need updating regardless of tonight’s action. Thompson also described possible regulatory tools, including an operating agreement that would set conditions and permit the city to revoke the license if conditions were not met.

Applicant Tuscan Curtis told the commission he currently rents two carts and might expand to four or five. "I've got 2 right now. ... If I feel like it's worth it to buy another one, then buy them," Curtis said, describing plans to keep the carts parked on his property, including the possibility of using a movable container for storage rather than building a permanent structure.

Commissioners discussed three regulatory options: allow the use as a home occupation (which would require updating the home-occupation ordinance), permit it under the commission's "in harmony" authority tied to the golf-course use, or deny the request. Several commissioners favored option 2 with specific conditions limiting signage, customer parking, and the number of carts to avoid a larger commercial operation in a residential neighborhood.

The commission and staff clarified that the approved authorization is an operating agreement rather than a conditional use permit and that the city typically brings operating agreements back to the commission only if complaints or observed violations arise.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes from the April 9, 2025 meeting: Motion by Commissioner Chancey Carter; seconded by Commissioner Luke Ambrose; recorded as "Aye" and carried. (See meeting minutes for full roll call.) - Motion to approve business license for Tuscan Curtis, 840 South 500 West (golf-cart rentals), with conditions described above: Motion by Commissioner Chancey Carter; seconded by Commissioner Garland Walker; vote recorded as "Aye" and motion carries. - Motion to approve amended operating agreement for Scotty's Diner (see separate article): Motion by Commissioner Garland Walker; seconded by Commissioner Luke Ambrose; vote recorded as "Aye" and motion carries.

The commission did not set an annual review schedule for the operating agreement; staff said agreements are typically revisited if complaints are received or if conditions appear unmet.