RV proposal returns to city’s plate

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- City officials are bracing for another long meeting

tonight as the ban on recreational vehicles returns to the agenda and

opponents have worked out plans to shoot holes in the latest proposal.

Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl Schuler detailed a program that would

employ large fluorescent placards, allowing vehicles to be parked on city

streets while preparing for -- and unwinding from -- vacations.

Unlike the previously proposed ban on recreational vehicles in

residential areas, the new law would be enforced citywide.

While his suggestion garnered support from both the mayor and the

planning staff, recreational vehicle owners are still skeptical.

City employee and recreational vehicle owner Bill Folsom said he will

rally the same troops to speak against the proposed action.

“Our goal is to sit down and talk with [the council] and figure out

how to enforce the current law. We don’t need a new one,” Folsom said.

Councilman Gary Monahan, who has consistently voted against any

further restrictions on motor homes, said he also has his doubts about

the plan. His major concern was the message the placards sent. The large,

bright notices practically announce that certain residents will be out of

town.

“Seems to me that they may be just big advertisements that say, ‘Hey

thief, come get me, I’m out of town,”’ Monahan said.

Schuler’s proposal mandates recreational vehicle owners pick up a

bright 11-by-8.5-inch placard form the Police Department before going on

a trip. The permit -- which would be placed on the windshield -- would

allow 72 hours to load or unload and would be marked accordingly by

police when issued, Schuler said. One-week permits would also be

available for visitors.

Monahan said the city is not ready to approve the new ordinance from

either a legal or philosophical standpoint.

“Then again, I’ve been in the short end of the votes so far,” Monahan

said.

On Jan. 7, council members postponed formal adoption of an ordinance

that banned large vehicles from parking on residential streets, with a

24-hour exception for loading and unloading only. After hearing from

about 45 people who opposed the proposed new law, the City Council

directed Schuler and the city attorney to look at other options and

return with a revised ordinance for tonight’s meeting.

If enacted, the new proposal would require that additional signs be

posted around the perimeter of the city. A staff report indicates that

126 would need to be purchased at $125 each. Should council members

decide to revert back to the 24-hour ban on rigs, the city would have to

post 400 to 500 signs, the report stated.

Police officials said the citywide placard system would reduce the

number of out-of-city motor homes that are parked on commercial streets

for storage.

On Wednesday, the police department surveyed two streets, each zoned

residential on one side and commercial on the other. Officers found eight

recreational vehicles parked on the two streets and four were registered

to owners outside of Costa Mesa. Two of the four were owned by Newport

Beach residents -- a city that has a ban on motor homes.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .