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Council amends mobility-device rules for beach access, limits beach travel and expands designated accesses
Summary
Police and public-safety staff recommended changes to the town's mobility-device (approved golf-cart) program: add one designated beach access (bringing total to nine), require parking close to accesses, prohibit East-West beach travel between accesses, and remove one emergency-access location; council approved the ordinance amendments 4-1.
The Oak Island Town Council voted July 14 to amend the town's mobility-device ordinance that governs use of electric golf carts as mobility assistance devices on certain streets and designated beach accesses.
Police staff explained the existing program (in effect since 2000) and said eligibility requires a state-issued handicap placard or permanent handicap registration plate, an annual permit, proof of insurance and a safety inspection. Chief (speaker 12) said staff evaluated more than 60 access points and recommended adding one access while removing one that serves as a primary emergency access. "Golf carts shall be parked as close to the beach access as possible," the proposed amendment said; it also prohibits East-West travel along the beach between accesses and prohibits parking adjacent to turtle nests.
Chief staff said the town currently issues around 70 permits annually and that a staff survey suggested about 25 permit-holders reported actually driving on the beach, with many opting to park at access areas rather than risk getting stuck. Council members pressed staff on sand and dune conditions at specific accesses (Crowell and Keziah streets), the number of MobiMats, and enforcement and penalties for violations. One council member requested explicit language that habitual violators could have permits revoked; staff noted the ordinance allows revocation and suggested aligning fee language with the town's fee schedule.
After discussion the council moved to adopt the amendments; the transcript records "Motion passes 4 to 1." The new rules require signage at designated accesses, clarify parking distances and limit beach travel to ingress and egress at a designated access; staff said GRAMA permitting for the specific locations is pending.
The ordinance change expands accessibility while adding restrictions intended to protect emergency access, dunes and turtle nests and to reduce island-wide East-West vehicle traffic on the sand.
