Proposed law takes new trip before council

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The debate over parking recreational vehicles on city

streets goes back before the City Council tonight with a proposal that

officials hope will please enough of the people, enough of the time.

The most recent permit proposal takes into consideration nearly every

concern raised by council members: It includes an increase in trips

allowed per year, online registration, exclusions for extreme hardship

and smaller parking decals.

An identification permit program was also suggested, requiring Costa

Mesa recreational vehicle owners to register their rig and place a small

sticker on the left rear bumper so officers can distinguish between local

and out-of-town motor homes.

Tonight’s meeting is the fourth time the motor home issue has been

before the City Council. In its first incarnation, it was proposed as a

24-hour ban on residential streets. Despite the protests of a few

audience members, council members approved a preliminary change.

But when the item came up for final approval, about 45 residents

opposed the ordinance, prompting the council to send it back for

revision.

In its second version the new law was proposed in the form of a

citywide placard system and limited motor home owners to six “round

trips” per year. Again a number of residents -- about 20 -- spoke against

it, saying it was too restrictive and again, the council sent it back for

retooling.

At each meeting a dedicated group of residents have spoken in favor of

a ban, calling the large vehicles unsightly and dangerous. Council

members addressed their concerns by acknowledging something must be done

to limit the number of motor homes -- and other large commercial vehicles

-- on the street.

“We have a responsibility to protect those who don’t want an RV --

especially one they don’t own -- parked in front of their house,”

Councilwoman Libby Cowan said.

Now it’s back, in yet another revised form.

In a staff report, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl Schuler explained that

once an owner has registered, he or she can request a permit that would

allow the recreational vehicle to be parked on city streets for 72 hours

for loading and another 72 for unloading.

Unlike the previously suggested large, fluorescent placards, the new

ones would be small cards to be placed in the windshield. The new

ordinance also allows for a total of 24 round trips per year.

Although concessions have been made, many residents feel any

restriction on motor homes, other than the current law, is excessive.

Resident David Stiller does not own a recreational vehicle but has

been vehemently opposed to any stricter ordinance.

Stiller charged that the city has no data outlining the number of

complaints received about motor homes, nor has it presented any proof of

the dangers associated with them.

“Without any objective evidence -- or actual numbers -- you are being

arrogant and arbitrary,” Stiller told the council at the last meeting.

FYI

What: Costa Mesa City Council Meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. today

Where: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

Information: (714)754-5225