Birmingham City Council allows use of low-speed vehicles

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The Birmingham City Council, in its regular meeting for March 28, passed an ordinance allowing for the operation of low-speed vehicles, or LSVs, in specific areas of the city. The item, which had been delayed twice in recent weeks before coming to a vote, passed 7-0.

The change will allow transportation companies to offer rides to passengers in vehicles similar to golf carts. The vehicles in Birmingham must operate in areas where the speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

LSVs are used typically in busy urban areas and entertainment districts or at large events.

Council members discussed the item originally on February 7 and were told by Julie Bernard of the law department that Joy Ride, a company based in Nashville, Tenn., wanted to operate such vehicles in Birmingham.

Several councilors, including Jay Roberson, Patricia Abbott and President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt, expressed concerns about safety, traffic and other issues, so the item was delayed for further tweaking.

The version passed today by the council, according to Bernard, includes language indicating that the LSVs should drop off and pick up passengers in loading zones, not in travel lanes, and that the vehicles should operate predominantly in the outside, slower lanes.

The ordinance, which is an amendment to the city’s code regarding taxicabs and vehicles for hire, was submitted by the law department and recommended by the council’s public safety and transportation committee.

Joy Ride, according to its web site, operates the vehicles in Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn.; Panama City Beach and Tallahassee, Fla.; and in Tuscaloosa.

The company, which describes itself as a “point-to-point transportation and touring service,” says that the rides are complimentary, with drivers working for tips.

On consent

The council dispensed with its agenda items quickly, with most of them being passed as part of the consent agenda.

The council approved an arrangement in which the city will make a community development block grant interim float loan of $800,000 and give a grant for $400,000 to Green Meadow Apartments LLC so that entity can buy and renovate 88 apartments located in a structure at 1044 Sunhill Road NW.

Sixty percent of the units will be designated for low- to middle-income residents, according to the text of the resolution.

The loan will be made at an interest rate of 1 percent per year for a period of up to 18 months and secured by a letter of credit issued by PNC Bank, the resolution states. The total project development cost is estimated at $4.8 million.