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Lovers Lane residents press board to advance golf-cart designation; public hearing eyed
Summary
Residents of Lovers Lane urged the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors to advance a land-use change that would allow golf carts on the short, low-speed street, citing mobility and safety benefits; staff told the board a revised application is back with VDOT/VOTE and could be ready for public hearing next month.
Lovers Lane residents told the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors on April 7 that a formal golf-cart designation would improve safety and social access for an aging neighborhood.
"It might be the difference between sociability situation or being kind of a shutin," said Nancy Moore, who gave the board a petition and described neighbors who rely on golf carts for short trips and welfare checks. Several other homeowners testified that they follow rules voluntarily and are willing to comply with signage and safety requirements.
The appeal came during the meeting's public-comment period, when multiple Lovers Lane residents — including Vicki Atardardo, Charles Frederickson and Larry Kidd — emphasized the street's low speeds, dead-end layout and short distances to local destinations. Speakers cited specific safeguards they would follow, such as slow-moving-vehicle lights and signage.
County land-use staffman Dave Cretz told the board that he had resubmitted a revised plan to VDOT/VOTE that incorporates their comments. "If everything works out, you may be ready for public hearing next month possibly," he said, urging patience while VDOT completes its review.
The board did not take final action on the ordinance at the April meeting. Staff indicated the matter would likely be scheduled for a public hearing once VDOT/VOTE signs off on the revised application. The board asked staff to provide public-hearing notice and to coordinate any technical sign and route restrictions required by the state agency.
Next steps: land-use staff will report back after VDOT/VOTE comments are resolved and the county schedules the public hearing; the board indicated it will include the Lovers Lane item on the next meeting agenda if staff confirms VDOT acceptance.
Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting included routine consent-agenda approval earlier in the session; no final ordinance vote was held on Lovers Lane.
The Lovers Lane remarks were part of a broader public-comment session in which residents raised water-quality and road-safety items that staff also promised to follow up on.
