For the last year and a half, Park City planners have been working on defining what constitutes an RV – a recreational vehicle, along with other related issues like parking. The planning staff has been scheduled to present their recommendations to the planning commission a few times but once again, the discussion has been continued. Melissa Allison tells us why:
After the open house Park City hosted this last summer, planning staff has been going back and forth on how to define what a recreational vehicle is.
That’s easier said than done, said Planning Director Bruce Erickson.
“All of the planners have been going through this for a year and it’s a lot of struggle and technical “what ifs” and all this geeky stuff that we do,” Erickson said. “But finally the assistant city attorney McLean, Tippe and I got together and said, “What are we trying to accomplish here?” and “Are we doing it by defining vehicles versus , is there a place for people to park?” And so, we’ve agreed that its better to make sure people have a place to park than trying to define what their lifestyle choices are.”
Erickson said Planner Tippe Morlan has created five options for city council to consider which include everything from status quo to complete deregulation.
“We’re changing from trying to regulate the type of vehicle, to making sure there is adequate parking,” Erickson said. “So as long as the vehicle is not in the right-of-way, not blocking a sidewalk and not in the setback, then we’re going to probably let that happen, as long as the city council goes along with that.”
The city’s open house for the issue this past summer had residents telling staff, they like to use their RV’s year round.
Erickson said they’re not worried so much about RV’s, as how the community looks.
"Front yards are basically what makes the neighborhood, the neighborhood,” Erickson said. “And the more we kind of abuse front yards, the less the neighborhood becomes a place for people and becomes either a used car lot, a business parking lot or just a junk yard. So, that’s what Tippe and I are being really careful with and the rest of the planning team.”
Bottom line, Erickson said they’ve given up on trying to define them – they just want to protect the front yards, the rights-of-way and to ensure there is enough parking.
The item has been continued until staff receives direction from city council.
I’m Melissa Allison, KPCW News.