Is a skateboard a bicycle? The answer to that question, as well as some other apparent points of confusion on the ordinance, caused the city of Branson’s board of aldermen to postpone action on an ordinance designed to keep people from riding skates, skateboards, scooters or any type of non motorized vehicle on, or in, certain areas owned or controlled by the city of Branson within the downtown business district.
The staff report on the proposed ordinance was presented by the city of Branson’s Chief of Police, Caroll W. McCullough. The report said that the proposed ordinance changes would prohibit anyone from riding any skates, skateboards or scooters in certain areas located in the downtown business area or on property owned or controlled by the City of Branson and recommended that the board approve the proposed changes.
Chief McCullough pointed out that the ordinance was being submitted in response to some problems that had arisen recently in the downtown business district. He cited, as just one instance, a situation this past weekend where skateboarders had to be asked to leave the new downtown convention center garage.
During public comment on the proposed changes, long time Branson resident and bicycle rider, Bob Glen, voiced his concerns that the proposed changes would impact adversely on the areas he normally rode his bicycle. Chief McCullough pointed out that the ordinance wasn’t intended to add any additional regulations to those riding bicycles and that the riding of bicycles on any sidewalk within a business district has been prohibited for years.
A large colored projected image of the area, as well as the clear concise maps attached to the proposed change, unlike some of the earlier maps, very clearly showed that the area covered by the ordinance just covered the downtown business district and did not cover either Branson Landing or the city camp ground. In spite of that fact, there was a considerable discussion about bicycles in Branson Landing until the city of Branson’s Planning Director, Don Stephens, stepped up to the podium and, using a pointer, pointed out that the area covered by proposed changes did not cover either Branson Landing or the city camp ground.
The proposed ordinance states that it only applies to structures “located on property owned or controlled by the City of Branson.” Branson Landing, including the town square and board walk, is leased, under a long term lease, and is for all practical purposes private property not under the control of the city of Branson.
Chief McCullough emphasized that the primary purpose of the proposed changes was to regulate skateboards not bicycles. Some of the board members thought that some of the verbiage, such as using the definition of “any one, two three or four wheeled device powered by the user” to define the term “skateboard” was confusing. The board voted 6 to 0 to have further research done on the issue and postponed taking any action on the ordinance until its Sep. 24 meeting.
