ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — St. Augustine City Commission is reviewing proposed updates to its Vehicles for Hire and Franchises ordinances, which is city government language for “the trolleys, pedicabs, tour operators, carriages, and horses have all entered the chat.”

The city held a workshop Friday, May 8, at City Hall to discuss changes aimed at improving oversight, safety, and management of transportation and tour services operating within the city. The proposals include caps on the number of vehicles for hire, including pedicabs, along with a tiered structure and overall cap for tour franchises.

The updates also address horse carriage operations, including changes focused on animal health and welfare, stronger enforcement measures, and stricter penalties for violations. Updated driver qualification requirements, including background checks, are also being considered.

In normal cities, this might be a transportation ordinance. In St. Augustine, it is a delicate civic ballet involving tourists, bells, hooves, narrow streets, history, heat, and one person trying to drive three blocks without accidentally joining a tour.

The city says commissioners will review the proposals and discuss potential impacts on residents, businesses, and visitors. That’s a lot of groups to satisfy, especially in a downtown where a horse carriage, a trolley, a pedicab, and a confused rental car can turn one intersection into a Renaissance painting with brake lights.

For now, nothing appears final. The workshop is part of the review process, which means the city is still in the “let’s discuss this calmly near microphones” stage before everyone starts using the word “charm” like a weapon.

At publishing time, one trolley bell was reportedly heard whispering, “I know what I am.”