Resident urges council to act on golf-cart safety on Hoffner Avenue

Chris Whitaker asked the Belle Isle City Council to add golf-cart access on Hoffner Avenue to a future agenda, pressing elected officials to choose either to allow carts only on the roadway east of Embassy Street or to bar sidewalk operation during the 7–9 a.m. school and exercise period. “I’m not here to get rid of golf carts… I’m here for the safety of pedestrians and for all citizens,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker, who gave his address as 5220 Oallen Road, told council members that he saw multiple carts driving in the road that day and described increased school-related traffic from new students as raising the safety stakes. He said Orange County rules already restrict cart operation past Embassy Street and on some local roads, and he asked the city to clarify local rules rather than escalate the issue with county agencies.

Council members did not resolve the issue at the meeting; Whitaker asked the council to place the topic on the next month’s agenda so members and staff could study options and provide formal feedback rather than limiting public input to the three-minute comment slot. The council’s next regular meeting was set for Feb. 3 with a follow-up on Feb. 20 noted for other items; staff were asked to carry Whitaker’s request forward for formal consideration.