×

Palestine may open its streets to golf carts

EAST PALESTINE — In a bid to attract more people to the village, council is considering allowing golf carts on some city streets.

Village manager Mark McTrustry said he took the suggestion to council after being approached by some people about the matter.

“It was suggested to me as something that would set our community apart from other communities around us because there really isn’t anywhere close to us that allows for that,” he said.

He and council are looking into other municipalities in Ohio that have allowed for golf carts or low speed vehicles on village or city streets.

“It will be an opportunity to hopefully bring some extra traffic downtown and would be an additional attraction for the village,” he said.

McTrustry said the vehicles would be restricted to streets that are designated as 25 mph or slower, and that the vehicles would be subject to annual inspection and proof of insurance. The vehicles would also only be able to be driven by licensed drivers, he added.

“The Ohio Revised Code is pretty strict about what is actually permitted … it is pretty well regulated,” he said.

Council is also looking into dissolving the Architectural Design Board of Review.

According to minutes of the Nov. 9 council meeting, the board was originally established in the 1990s in order to complement the revitalization committee.

Council Clerk Misti Martin advised council members on Nov. 9 that the board is not currently active and all of the member’s terms are expired.

Councilman Alan Cohen said that since the revitalization committee no longer exists, there is no longer a need for the design board.

He and other members of council agreed that the design board could be a hindrance to new business in town, since it was somewhat restrictive on what could and could not be done to a building, facade, etc.

Cohen had said he believed the design board puts a heavy burden on businesses to conform with other businesses.

Council has since considered legislation to dissolve the design board at two separate meetings, with a third reading and a vote anticipated for the next meeting.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today