In response to concerns about downtown accessibility during existing and upcoming bridge construction, the Fort Walton Beach City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2166 on Tuesday, expanding access for low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and golf carts on certain state roads.
- The ordinance amends Section 11.13.07 of the city’s code to allow LSVs to operate on Eglin Parkway SE between Third Street SE and Miracle Strip Parkway SE. It also permits golf carts to cross Perry Avenue SE at First Street SE, pending approval from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Christopher Frassetti, Growth Management Director, explained the motivation behind the changes. “We got a request from a citizen regarding the bridge construction. The portion of Brooks Street under the bridge is going to be closed coming up soon for some amount of time,” Frassetti said. “We tried to come up with some ideas to find a way to get either golf carts or LSVs downtown while Brooks Street is closed and cut off from the neighborhoods to the east.”
The ordinance distinguishes between LSVs, which are registered vehicles with license plates and safety features, and golf carts. Frassetti noted that while state law allows LSVs on state roads with speed limits up to 35 mph, Fort Walton Beach’s current ordinance is more restrictive.
Police Chief Robert Bage addressed enforcement concerns, stating, “Anything that we do is going to cause extra burden on someone. There will be more enforcement needed. We’ll have to devote some resources there.” However, he emphasized that the changes were developed with community benefit in mind.
- Bage also highlighted the importance of education: “We want to do a big educational campaign and really push out the difference between a golf cart and a low-speed vehicle. Really push out where a golf cart can go and where a low-speed vehicle can go.”
Council members expressed both support and concerns about the changes. Councilman Nic Allegretto questioned the potential for increased violations, while Councilman Bryce Jeter supported the ordinance but stressed the need for enforcement.
“I don’t want the few to ruin it for the many,” Jeter said. “I definitely support it with whatever push is required from your team to not let the few ruin it for the many.”
Councilman David Schmidt raised questions about future considerations, including the possibility of allowing LSVs to cross the new bridge once construction is complete in 2027. Chief Bage explained that while FDOT is unlikely to allow LSVs on the bridge’s multi-use path, crossing the bridge in traffic lanes could be possible if both the city and county designate it as allowed.
Councilman Travis Smith expressed cautious support, saying, “I think it’s a slippery slope. You just look at South Walton and the golf cart issues that they have out there with being on the road. I don’t know how much of an appetite I have for supporting crossing the bridge and all that stuff right now, but I think this is a good start. There’s no sense in building a golf cart parking lot down in the Landing if we can’t access it. “
- The council also discussed the need for better registration compliance among golf cart owners. Councilman Jeter estimated that out of approximately 500 golf carts in the affected neighborhood, less than 20 are currently registered with the city.
As the ordinance moves forward, city officials plan to launch a comprehensive education campaign to inform residents about the new rules and the distinctions between LSVs and golf carts. The changes are seen as a step towards creating a more interconnected community while addressing immediate concerns about downtown access during bridge construction.
