Mimicking the wildly popular Villages retirement community to the South, Newberry residents may soon be able to cruise about town in their open air, environmentally friendly golf carts.
The city commission will vote on the ordinance Feb. 13, according to Bryan Thomas, director of planning and economic development for Newberry. If approved, golf cart drivers will still have to obey traffic laws. Any street with a speed limit under 30 mph is fair game for carts, although drivers would not be allowed to cross highways, such as state roads 45 and 26.
Thomas said he hopes that making Newberry golf cart-friendly will bring more people downtown to the restaurants and shops. Officials said the city will mail fliers to residents and post fliers on the streets outlining golf cart rules if the ordinance is approved.