Council approves first reading of golf-cart ordinance limited to Carmel Hyperion neighborhood

The Johnston City Council approved first consideration of Ordinance 1140 to add local regulations allowing golf carts to operate on three specific streets within the Carmel Hyperion subdivision.

Police Chief McDaniel presented the ordinance as a narrowly scoped response to a developer request and Iowa Code 321.247 requirements. The proposed local code (Chapter 77) lists Benloe Court, Sandy Court and 1900 Doc Drive within the Carmel Hyperion plat as the only public streets where club-provided golf carts may be driven to and from the clubhouse. The ordinance mirrors state code requirements: operators must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license; carts must be operated only between sunrise and sunset; carts on the street must display a slow-moving-vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag; and proof of financial responsibility (insurance) is required.

Chief McDaniel stressed the safety feature of an underpass (tunnel) on Beaver Drive that provides a direct, controlled crossing to the clubhouse. Council members asked detailed enforcement questions — how the city will prevent carts from using unsafe shoulder routes or crossing Beaver Drive outside the tunnel path, whether citations would be used, and how golf-cart traffic would interact with emergency vehicles. Staff said enforcement will start with education, escalate to citations for repeat violations and coordinate with the clubhouse and developer on covenant-based sanctions for membership privileges if needed. Staff noted the relevant streets meet public-street width standards and that the street widths (29–31 feet in places) can accommodate traffic and emergency response.

Council voted to approve first consideration of the ordinance. Chief McDaniel and other staff said they expect to monitor usage and educational outreach to keep operations safe.