CHRISTIANSBURG -- Town council agreed Tuesday night that low-speed vehicles will be allowed on the town's streets.

On July 31, an ad hoc committee, consisting of councilman and street committee member Brad Stipes, planning commission member Wayne Booth and police Chief Mark Sisson, met to discuss the matter and voted to take no restrictive action against residents who choose to operate low-speed vehicles. The committee was set up after a resident asked about low-speed vehicles, such as golf carts, during the July council meeting.

According to Virginia code, low-speed vehicles are legal for road use as long as they meet certain safety requirements. However, towns and cities can disallow such vehicles if they deem them unsafe or a hindrance to traffic. The council voted 4-2 to comply with the committee's recommendation.

"If they're allowed by the state, we will allow them but enforce the law vigorously," said Mayor Richard Ballengee.

Council members Michael Barber and Ann Carter cast the no votes, citing safety concerns. Both said they had received calls and e-mails from concerned residents after an article ran in a local newspaper about the proposal.

Councilman Steve Huppert was also opposed the idea but chose to vote with the committee's recommendation after he was assured that the matter could be revisited later should the vehicles become a problem.

Stipes said that he, too, had safety concerns, but wanted to leave the option open for residents trying to conserve gasoline.

Councilman Dan Canada was among those saying the issue could be revisited at a later date and saw no need to restrict the vehicles at the time because residents don't seem to be interested.

"If people wanted to [drive low-speed vehicles], they'd already be out doing it," Canada said.