Golf cart users will soon be able to zip around La Quinta now that the city took the next step toward implementing its golf cart program.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that will allow a pilot program for golf cart use on select city streets.

The golf cart program has been in the works since 2000 but came before the City Council as a drafted program for the first time in July 2007.

With the first reading of the ordinance, the pilot program may be implemented as soon as mid-January with the issuance of two-year permits, said Assistant City Manager Doug Evans.

The City Council is expected to consider setting the cost of the permits at its meeting Dec. 1.

“I like the program and think they really took a positive approach with how to deal with some of the issues and concerns regarding safety,” said resident Leo Knasiak after the meeting.

The program is modeled after similar programs in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, Evans said.

The program also abides by state law in that it does not allow the use of golf carts seating more than two people and 16-year- old drivers must have a valid driver's license in which the restrictions of that license applies to golf cart use. Seat belts and a rooftop are also required.

In addition, the council also decided to put in a provision that states a permit may be revoked by the city manager if it is determined that the applicant has violated any of the program's terms.

That applicant will then be unable to reapply for a golf cart permit for one year.

“Safety is our primary concern when we're dealing with this issue,” said Mayor Don Adolph. “We want to make sure that the individual driving that thing knows the law and drives in a proper manner, in a proper location.”

The modification was made on the behest of Mayor Pro Tem Terry Henderson who specifically wanted to make sure the city had a provision that could deal with underage drivers.

“We have a lot of anxious people looking forward to (this program) and a lot of people who are not going to be interested in abiding by any of these rules and regulations. That's unfortunate, but that's life and we're going to have to address that,” Henderson said. “And I frankly won't have a lot of sympathy for folks that want to violate what we have here.”

The maximum speed of a golf cart cannot exceed 15 mph and when the program is implemented, golf carts will be restricted to designated golf cart lanes on city streets, designated golf cart paths and select neighborhoods with streets that have 25 mph speed limit postings, Evans said.

The idea is to allow access throughout the La Quinta Cove, to the Village and Old Town La Quinta areas, the SilverRock Resort and the La Quinta Resort & Club, he added.

The next step is to have a second reading of the ordinance, which then requires a 30-day waiting period before the city can begin issuing permits as part of the first phase of the golf cart program.

Evans said the program may go citywide, but the city will have to monitor the success of the pilot program.