Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – With residential growth setting records annually Foley is looking at ways to provide connectivity with the expanded use of golf carts on designated streets.

“My goal is to continue to expand it where it makes sense but not get into situations where we’re having golf carts getting run over by cars,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said.

On Feb. 7 a new north-south pass was added to city ordinances with a connection from East Michigan Avenue south on the Pecan Street right of way to Pride Drive and all the way to OWA Boulevard on the south end of the 1.3-mile path.

“The idea for this route is twofold,” City Administrator Michael Thompson said. “The tribe plans to build an RV park along this route so we want the RV'ers to be able to get in their golf cart and ride to OWA. And, a number of subdivisions have/or are being built from Michigan southward on Pecan so it will give those residents a golf cart option to OWA.” 

It would start in the southwest corner of Pecan and Michigan and run down the south side of Pecan and Pride to provide access to OWA and the neighborhoods along the route. Land was donated by OWA for right of way to extend Pecan to connect with Pride and requested a golf cart path along the roadway.

“That was really the reason we added that particular one,” Hellmich said. “That road was a four-lane and so it’s not as conducive to golf carts so we are trying to adapt the paths that are being built along there. There’s also some new development just south of Michigan Avenue before you get to Iberville and Parrish Lakes, two new developments on the west side. They will be adding a six-foot wide cart path along their eastern border for people to come out of those developments and go all the way to OWA which are private roads and they utilize those to go to OWA and never have to get on a public road.”

Final details for the construction extending Pecan are still being worked out and Hellmich said the city hopes construction can begin in the next few weeks.

The former head of the police department’s Community Safety Division, Lt. Glenn Hartenstein, said current usage in Foley are mostly in or near neighborhoods with golf courses.

“Those streets, the majority of those, are around the golf cart community neighborhoods like Glen Lakes and that’s what they are designed for,” Hartenstein said. “There are some sections of the golf cart community where they were building new construction and until the builders finish building on those streets and the streets actually become city streets (current rules will then apply). During the construction period, these streets in those neighborhoods are not technically considered city streets yet until they are completed and everything’s been put in.”

Foley designated 24 new streets for golf cart use in 2018 and with subdivisions sprouting in the southeast and southwest quadrants of the city those streets will be added when construction is complete and the streets taken over by the city. Each designated road must have signage indicating they are available for carts and they would not be allowed on streets with speed limits higher than 25 mph.

“Designated Cart Street shall mean the following public streets within … Foley designated under this section for the use carts, to be marked with appropriate signage, approved by the police chief, advising that street may be utilized by carts,” the ordinance states. “In designating public streets on which golf carts may be legally operated, the Act requires the city to determine that golf carts may safely travel on such designated streets after consideration of factors including, but not limited to, the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the street.”

Per Foley rules, carts must have headlights, seat belts, turn signals, brake lights and efficient brakes, rearview mirror, windshield, safe tires and reliable steering. Red reflector devices must be displayed on the front and back of the cart and an orange flag attached to the back at least six feet off the ground. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach use many of the same regulations but don’t require seatbelts or flags.

Only licensed drivers 16 and older can operate the carts and all are required to carry liability insurance. Foley does not allow children under the age of 5 to ride on golf carts.

Carts face a yearly inspection from the Foley Police Department and it comes with a $25 fee and a sticker that must be displayed on the cart at all times. Operating hours are sunrise to 10 p.m. and requires headlights to be on at all times during operation on designated roads.