The safety of the residents was front and center at the Dec. 16 Committee of the Whole meeting as village officials continued their discussion about the viability of making Elburn a golf cart community

The state law that would be the foundation for the village’s proposed ordinance allows for non-highway vehicles to be driven on local roads “if the unit of local government determines that the public safety will not be jeopardized.” It states that the local government must consider the volume, speed, and character of the traffic on the roadway to determine if the non-highway vehicles may safely travel on or cross the roadway.

Police Chief Nick Sikora provided the board members a “first go-round” draft of a potential ordinance that laid out restrictions regulating the use of golf carts (“carts” being the language used in the state statute) on roads within the village. Sikora had spoken with police chiefs from municipalities around the state, obtaining samples of the ordinances they are using to regulate the operation of golf carts.

The discussion about which roads the vehicles would be allowed on began with the understanding that the state would not allow them on state roads, which ruled out Route 47 and 38, nor on any roads where the speed limit was over 35 miles per hour, also eliminating the use of Keslinger and Hughes roads. Sikora said he would also rule out North Street, as it is a designated truck route with a great deal of traffic.

At issue was the determination of where street crossings should be allowed. Sikora recommended that any crossing of Route 38 should be prohibited, which got general agreement from the trustees. Unless the Illinois Department of Transportation authorized the reduction of the speed limit on Route 38, they felt it was too unsafe. Sikora suggested several possible crossings of Route 47 for discussion, including Swain, South, Nebraska, Shannon and Prairie Valley streets, a few of which trustees did not consider appropriate.

The possibility of allowing golf carts on Nebraska Street, currently restricted to pedestrians and bicyclists connecting to the Metra parking lot brought up other concerns, such as the number of children living on the street and extending a street that is currently a dead end.

Trustee Pat Schuberg said she didn’t think streets such as Station Boulevard were wide enough to accommodate golf carts and cars; however, Sikora said that most of the streets in the village are narrow.

Trustee Sue Filek said that when the topic of golf carts on village streets was introduced, her thought was that golf cart use would be limited to within one’s own neighborhood or subdivision, for things such as visiting neighbors or taking the kids to local ball fields.

Sikora said that one suggestion offered by the other chiefs he spoke to regarding following that possibility was the use of license plates in different colors for each neighborhood that would easily identify those from within and those from another neighborhood.

Several trustees expressed the likelihood that some people would end up pushing the limits.

“You can ticket it; you can legislate it,” trustee Pat Schuberg said. “It’s a project creep waiting to happen.”

Sikora said his recommendation for penalties for not following the restrictions would be considered Class 3 moving violations and result in significant fines. A first offense would carry a $250 fine, a second one would cost $500 and a third within the same 12 months would be $750. Underage drivers or those under the influence would not be allowed to drive home, adding a towing fee plus a cost for impoundment, as well as a $500 towing administrative fee.

Trustee Ken Anderson wondered about the village’s liability regarding resident safety.

Sikora said that each vehicle would go through a licensing process once a year, which would include residents signing a waiver, stating they are assuming all liability. Schuberg said she would still want Bill Thomas, the village attorney, Bill Thomas, to further explore the liability issue.

Sikora suggested additional safety measures for the vehicles, such as side mirrors on the left and right, headlights and taillights, front and rear turn signals, and tires approved by the Department of Transportation, as those on a normal golf cart are made to drive only on turf. He looked into limiting the hours of operation of the vehicles, but other chiefs steered him away from that, because it just encourages people who get caught away from home after hours to “sneak” home, sometimes going through neighbors’ yards or turning off their lights, making it even more dangerous.

Trustee Chris Hansen suggested that Sikora conduct further research on the locations for crossings to inform further discussion.

Sikora said that he would be back before the board in February with further recommendations.