CAROLINA BEACH — Carolina Beach could soon be the home to the Pleasure Island Peddler, but don’t expect to see trolleys all over town. If approved, there would be several restrictions including the prohibition of operating on the town’s main thoroughfare – Lake Park Boulevard.
In February, Carolina Beach Town Council failed to come to an agreement with regards to the Pleasure Island Peddler, a pub-trolley business hoping to set up shop in Carolina Beach. Now, town officials are once again ready to decide if drinking and pedaling is a business plan that fits in Carolina Beach. The Town Council is holding a public hearing on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
Town Council was first presented with the request last month to create an allowance in the town’s code for commercial pedal vehicles that allow the consumption of alcohol. Currently, there is no such code permitting trolley businesses. Before that happens, though, questions about the pub trolley will have to be answered.
More details about the pub trolley
Two questions about the trolley have already been answered. First, if approved, there would be no alcohol sales onboard, instead, guests would have to bring their own beer or wine, Senior Planner Jeremy Hardison said. Second, the trolley would have an “electric assist” to help the vehicle move, and its maximum speed would be 15 miles per hour.
When members of town council debated the issue last time, topics like safety and hours of operation caused a stalemate. Mayor Joe Benson requested that staff address safety concerns, drop off locations, and routes before council would be ready to approve anything.
Residents also turned out during the public hearing, split between those in favor of the new business and those opposing it.
Now, town staff has updated the proposed amendment to the town’s codes to include more safety regulations, a limit on the number of permits issued, detailed routes, and a list of approved and not approved streets to travel on.
Requirements and limitations
- If approved during the town’s Tuesday night meeting, staff recommends the vehicles not be approved for travel on Dow Road or Lake Park Boulevard, except when crossing. It would also not be allowed to operate within R-2 and R-3 districts (i.e. moderate to low-density areas with single-family homes).
- There would also be a limitation of two permits for commercial pedal vehicles in the entire town, and the same business would not be permitted to operate more than one vehicle.
- While beer and wine would be permitted for passengers, the operator of the trolley would not be allowed to consume any alcohol while driving the vehicle.
- Safety requirements would include an operational horn, front and rear working brakes, headlights, tail lights and turn signals, and required inspections.
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