Tomball Magnolia Potpourri - News
Golf carts on city streets?
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| Jo Ann Schermerhorn (left) and Councilwoman Patsy Williams (right) are ready to discuss the possibility of golf carts and other NEVs on city streets in Magnolia. |
By TANA ROSS
Even though prices are down at the pump, Magnolia residents and City Council members are keeping an eye on the future and ready to discuss whether or not neighborhood electric vehicles should be allowed on city streets.
NEVs are any four-wheeled vehicle weighing not more than 2,500 pounds with an attainable speed of more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most commonly, these vehicles are electric or an electric hybrid. While an array of two- to six-seater NEVs area available, the most common application is the golf cart.
“I tried to borrow one just to see how it would work for me,” Magnolia Planning Commission Director Jo Ann Schermerhorn recently said.
Schermerhorn, who has served on the Planning Commission for almost one year, said she opened discussions concerning use of NEVs within the city limits of Magnolia, in August. Since then she wrote an open letter to citizens which The Potpourri published in September.
“I was disappointed I only received one phone call after the letter,” Schermerhorn said. “But I think we can still talk about it.”
Councilwoman Patsy Williams said her interest in the alternative mode of transportation dates back to last February when she asked City Council to consider an ordinance which would allow residents in the city to use golf carts and similar vehicles.
“I walk to work each day and am all for anything that can save energy,” Williams said.
Both women, who live in the city limits and walk or ride bikes to many locations, see the advantage of a small electric vehicle for convenience.
“I can walk to the grocery store,” Schermerhorn said. “But how do I get a gallon of milk home?”
Next month at its regular meeting, the council is expected to consider use of NEVs. Magnolia Police Chief Paul Michna has already completed research on the subject, as requested by City Administrator Ryan Kelley.
In a memo dated Nov. 4, from Michna to Kelley, the chief cited Texas state law saying, “The 79th Legislature made it possible for vehicles such as NEVs and scooters to be operated on public streets if not prohibited by a county or municipality.”
Citing cities like Lockhart, Sugar Land and Sweeny, all in Texas, Michna goes on to outline the law and requirements of NEVs to be street legal. Michna said his main concern within the 3.5-square miles of Magnolia is where NEVs would cross FM 1488.
“Crossing at the south side of FM 1488 is my concern,” he said. “But I am working on that as well.”
In summary Michna, Schermerhorn and Williams agree NEVs are quiet, pollution-free, low on energy use and may just encourage residents to shop locally.
The Magnolia City Council will discuss NEVs at its next regular meeting at 7 p.m on Tuesday, Dec. 9. This meeting is open to the public.
For more on NEVs including recent studies, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s advanced vehicle testing pages at, http://avt.inel.gov.
U.S. Department of Energy on NEVs
Since 2001 the U.S. Department of Energy has been conducting studies on the use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. The following is just a few of the USDOE’s findings:
About 40 states have passed legislation or regulations allowing NEVs to be licensed and driven on roads that generally are posted at 35 mph or less. In 2006, Texas joined this group of states.
While NEVs were initially used in gated communities, they have been increasingly used by the general public for transporting children to school, shopping, and general neighborhood trips.
Many federal, private, and public fleets are using NEVs at military bases, national parks, and commercial airports and for local government activities.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requires that NEVs be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rear view mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
NEVs are any four-wheeled vehicle weighing not more than 2,500 pounds with an attainable speed of more than 20 mph but not more than 25 mph, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most commonly, these vehicles are electric or an electric hybrid. While an array of two- to six-seater NEVs area available, the most common application is the golf cart.
“I tried to borrow one just to see how it would work for me,” Magnolia Planning Commission Director Jo Ann Schermerhorn recently said.
Schermerhorn, who has served on the Planning Commission for almost one year, said she opened discussions concerning use of NEVs within the city limits of Magnolia, in August. Since then she wrote an open letter to citizens which The Potpourri published in September.
“I was disappointed I only received one phone call after the letter,” Schermerhorn said. “But I think we can still talk about it.”
Councilwoman Patsy Williams said her interest in the alternative mode of transportation dates back to last February when she asked City Council to consider an ordinance which would allow residents in the city to use golf carts and similar vehicles.
“I walk to work each day and am all for anything that can save energy,” Williams said.
Both women, who live in the city limits and walk or ride bikes to many locations, see the advantage of a small electric vehicle for convenience.
“I can walk to the grocery store,” Schermerhorn said. “But how do I get a gallon of milk home?”
Next month at its regular meeting, the council is expected to consider use of NEVs. Magnolia Police Chief Paul Michna has already completed research on the subject, as requested by City Administrator Ryan Kelley.
In a memo dated Nov. 4, from Michna to Kelley, the chief cited Texas state law saying, “The 79th Legislature made it possible for vehicles such as NEVs and scooters to be operated on public streets if not prohibited by a county or municipality.”
Citing cities like Lockhart, Sugar Land and Sweeny, all in Texas, Michna goes on to outline the law and requirements of NEVs to be street legal. Michna said his main concern within the 3.5-square miles of Magnolia is where NEVs would cross FM 1488.
“Crossing at the south side of FM 1488 is my concern,” he said. “But I am working on that as well.”
In summary Michna, Schermerhorn and Williams agree NEVs are quiet, pollution-free, low on energy use and may just encourage residents to shop locally.
The Magnolia City Council will discuss NEVs at its next regular meeting at 7 p.m on Tuesday, Dec. 9. This meeting is open to the public.
For more on NEVs including recent studies, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s advanced vehicle testing pages at, http://avt.inel.gov.
U.S. Department of Energy on NEVs
Since 2001 the U.S. Department of Energy has been conducting studies on the use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. The following is just a few of the USDOE’s findings:
About 40 states have passed legislation or regulations allowing NEVs to be licensed and driven on roads that generally are posted at 35 mph or less. In 2006, Texas joined this group of states.
While NEVs were initially used in gated communities, they have been increasingly used by the general public for transporting children to school, shopping, and general neighborhood trips.
Many federal, private, and public fleets are using NEVs at military bases, national parks, and commercial airports and for local government activities.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requires that NEVs be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rear view mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
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