South Barrington looks to restrict golf cart use

The Arboretum of South Barrington boasts many unique businesses, but a golf course is not one of them.

Yet that doesn't stop nearby residents from driving their golf carts through park district land, the village-owned Conservancy nature park or a gated community to get to the shopping center near Higgins and Sutton roads.

Now South Barrington officials are looking into restricting their use within the village. They discussed at Thursday's village board meeting an ordinance prohibiting all non-highway vehicles from public roadways and pedestrian and bike paths, but ended up referring the issue back to the Police and Public Safety Committee for further review.

"They're not noisy. They don't produce pollution. But it's a safety issue, particularly around children or on pedestrian and bicycle paths that aren't wide," Village President Frank Munao said.

Munao doesn't think bikers or pedestrians should be forced to maneuver out of the way of a golf cart barreling toward them.

The unusual practice started shortly after the Arboretum opened, South Barrington Police Chief Michael Deegan said. He's received a half-dozen complaints about the carts since mid-May. Police haven't issued any tickets; instead they've warned the golf cart drivers.

No golf cart related injuries have been reported, he said, but he's occasionally seen children driving the carts.

Munao emphasized that the ordinance wouldn't ban golf carts in the village. They'd still be allowed on private roads, private property and areas designated by a homeowners association.

He also noted state law already prohibits golf carts on public roadways. However, the law also gives local municipalities the ability to allow for their use on local roadways if they adopt their own ordinance.

About six families attended the board meeting to protest the ordinance. Most were from the Regency at The Woods subdivision, located just to the north of the Arboretum.

Officials decided the ordinance needs further investigation because it's unclear whether the Arboretum even allows golf carts. Munao has heard conflicting reports.

Golf carts range from $4,000 to $15,000 and left unmodified travel about 14 mph, although adjustments could boost that to around 25 mph.

Golf carts shouldn't be confused with so-called "low-speed vehicles" which, unlike golf carts, have windshields, turning signals and horns. State law allows them on roadways that have a maximum speed limit of 30 mph. These vehicles require proper licenses. Last year, Springfield lawmakers tried to more clearly define the differences between the two so authorities could better enforce the law.

On a similar issue, the board did approve an ordinance allowing emergency, maintenance and motorized handicap assistance vehicles to drive through the Conservancy.