RVer’s and zoning

Planning commission chairman Mattie Lane, moderated a workshop held after the adjournment of the regular planning commission meeting Thursday night.

The council chambers were filled to the brim with concerned citizens.

Lane started the meeting stating that Lakeside has had an ordinance for years, but has never enforced it until recently as the result of two complaints.

RV parking ordinance

The subject of discussion was the RV parking ordinance in Lakeside. Some of Lakeside’s zoning does not allow for RV living, where other zones are specifically designated for that particular use.

Residential zoning is exclusive to homes, with the exception of the construction of a home on the property. The owner can get a conditional use permit allowing the “living in” an RV for the permit period with an extension, if necessary.

This city council has not even discussed this ordinance

Lane conveyed the city council had not yet discussed the ordinance and had placed a two month moratorium on enforcing the ordinance unless it is deemed a nuisance.

Leave the planning commission out

In answer to Naomi Parker’s suggestion that the planning commission be left out of the loop and the council make decisions on ordinances. Lane responded, “the client is the community not an applicant,” the planning commission has an obligation to adhere to state laws.

Related information: Building codes, Land Conservation and Development

Lakeside has had an ordinance addressing RV parking  for years. Past Mayor Orville signed the most recent ordinance amendment in April of 2007.

Complaints

The enforcement of the ordinance came to a head when complaints were received by the city about two properties without sewage arrangements, “water going in and no water coming out.” The living in a boat and RV’s had been going on for over a year.

Suggestion

Michael Armstrong suggested that an amendment to the ordinance defining “living in” and then allowing brief visiting for a specified amount of time could solve the problem.

Erroneous information

Erroneous information had been disseminated by a local tabloid causing anger among members of the community, many of which were there to vent. It had been said that there was to be $200 fines and no RV use.

Many in attendance after realizing the truth of the issue left, seeming satisfied.

Next meeting

One attendee thought good ideas had been thrown out and a tremendous amount of misconception was in the room. “There seemed to be an agenda by some to discount the planning commission’s work.” Sue Allen, went on to say, “she hopes the next meeting with more details will be more fruitful.”

Suggestion sheets are available at city hall for comments or ideas on this issue.

Lane announced the planning commission will be scheduling another workshop  in the near future at the Lion’s hall before a final decision is made.