After intermittent discussions over the past few months the Fayetteville City Council Jan. 18 adopted an ordinance outlining the use of motorized carts. The ordinance addresses registration, authorized and unauthorized uses, hazardous activities and special rules, and liability and penalties.

Planning and Zoning Director Eldridge Gunn said similar ordinances in local jurisdictions were considered when formulating the proposed amendment.

“The age limit of drivers corresponds directly with the Georgia driver’s license age limit regulations and drivers will be limited to only streets within subdivisions and recreational paths,” said Gunn. “As the city’s recreational path network increases then council may want to designate ‘authorized’ streets in addition.”

The ordinance calls for carts to be registered and a $20 registration fee to be imposed. Violations would carry a $50 fine for the first offense, $100 fine for second offense and a $250 fine and registration revocation for a third offense.

Carts will not be allowed on major thoroughfares and collector streets. Prohibited major thoroughfares include Ga. highways 85, 54, 92 and 314, North Jeff Davis Drive and Jimmie Mayfield Boulevard.

Prohibited collector streets include New Hope Road, White Road, Banks Road, Beauregard Boulevard/Redwine Road, Grady Avenue, Hood Avenue, Old Norton Road, Lafayette Avenue, Brandywine Boulevard, Ginger Cake Road, South Jeff Davis Drive, Ramah Road, Price Road, Lester Road and Sandy Creek Road.

The council also conducted the first reading of a proposed amendment to provide a financial incentive for re-development in the Main Street District. The amendment would grant a 50 percent reduction in sewer proportionate share fees for properties where the re-development will increase the ad valorem tax by 50 percent over the tax levied in the year prior to re-development.