Residents urge Alpine to reconsider legalizing golf carts for neighborhood use

Multiple residents used the public‑comment period to ask the council to reopen discussion about allowing low‑speed golf carts on Alpine streets, arguing the vehicles foster neighborly contact and can be regulated for safety. Michelle and Kyle Shumway described golf carts as a way to retain Alpine’s small‑town feel and asked council to consider an ordinance with clear safety standards and enforcement guidance. “We’d like to start using it again,” one speaker said of a cart that has sat in their garage.

Other commenters — Julie Daley, Sid McGee and several others — said that properly regulated electric low‑speed vehicles with headlights, blinkers, mirrors, seat belts and registration can be safe for short neighborhood trips and socialization. Safety consultant Mario Jimenez urged council to use Highland’s ordinance as a skeleton and to adopt standards consistent with Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol guidance. Council members discussed bringing the topic back as a discussion item before assigning a place on an action agenda so the council can hear a staff report and receive resident input before a vote.