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 .
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