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Board OKs RV park rules
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| By: THERESE APEL, DAILY LEADER Staff Writer |
November 04, 2009 |
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Brookhaven now has a set of guidelines to follow in regards to recreational vehicle parks, which may help put an end to debates around the city board table concerning plans for a proposed RV park that were held up in September.
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At the September 15 board meeting, aldermen had approved a moratorium on RV parks in the city in order to have the time to regulate the specifics of similar developments in the future. This held up progress on one that was under way in Ward Five.
A committee of Ward Four Alderwoman Shirley Estes, Ward Six Alderman David Phillips and Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates came up with ideas, some of which were derived from ordinances used by other cities. But Mayor Les Bumgarner had put the committee together to insure Brookhaven would have its own regulations to follow.
The committee presented the updated proposal, with Estes saying the ordinance now addresses the length an RV can stay to be considered "temporary."
Estes said the new ordinance says once an RV has been on the lot for more than 90 days in any 12-month period, that amounts to permanent residency and a fine will be issued to the owner of the RV park.
"We probably don't have any recourse on the RV owner," she said.
In addition, the ordinance addressed requirements for a fence around the park, which will need to be put up on three sides. Estes and Phillips clarified that the fence will need to be at least 8 feet high and made of wood or some other material that cannot be seen through.
Estes also said the ordinance indicates that R3 zoning, which is designated for residential areas, will be applied to RV parks.
In the case of an emergency, however, there is an allowance.
When officials said there might need to be an out in case of some kind of natural disaster, or a family whose home has been destroyed and need a place to stay while they build a new one, City Attorney Joe Fernald suggested wording that puts the decision into the board's hands.
"In the event of extreme emergency circumstances, the board may, upon petition supported by emergency conditions, lengthen the stay for individuals or groups of RVs," he said.
The board approved the new ordinance 6-0, with Ward Five Alderman D. W. Maxwell recusing himself during the vote.
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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