At its Aug. 16 meeting, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to amend zoning in the Diamond Cove development on the northern end of Great Diamond Island to allow the use of golf carts. The decision settles a two-year controversy involving the City of Portland and three different homeowner associations on the island, over whether electric golf carts should be permitted in the restored Fort McKinley development.
Restrictions on the use of golf carts were part of contract zoning established when the redevelopment of the fort began in the late 1980s. Once the development became inhabited, the restriction was not enforced and golf carts slowly began to proliferate, reaching a critical mass two years ago. Residents of the summer cottage community on the southern part of the island called the problem to the city’s attention, noting the impact of the golf cart traffic on the pedestrian nature of their community and the island’s fragile ecosystem.
The City of Portland’s island liaison, Tom Fortier, worked with the island residents to try and find an island-based solution to the issue. After several compromise attempts failed and a lawsuit was filed, this spring the City Council voted to enforce the golf cart restriction on the island. The issue was back before the City Council after an application by Diamond Cove Homeowners Association for a zoning change was endorsed by the Planning Board.
At the Aug. 16 City Council meeting, the presidents of the island’s three associations (Diamond Island Association, Diamond Island Civic Association and the Diamond Cove Homeowners Association) spoke together, supporting the proposed amendment as an acceptable agreement and reasonable compromise. The amendment allows golf carts in the Diamond Cove development but also accounts for restrictions and enforcement measures.
The number of golf carts in the amended zone is limited to 82, allowing one golf cart per condominium unit. Golf cart usage by Diamond Cove homeowners is limited to the development’s property and golf cart use must be confined to the established roadways. Cross-island vehicle and golf cart traffic is prohibited. The two gates between the Diamond Cove development and the southern side of the island are to be kept locked, while access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic remains open. Public works, the shuttle bus, first responders and fire fighters are exempted services and have keys for access through the gates. All carts on the island will be registered for identification, with decals differentiating north and south vehicles, and exempted vehicles will be marked. Diamond Cove will also file a transportation management plan with the city addressing vehicle permitting, common transportation systems and handicap mobility.