Costa Mesa adopts new RV law

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The City Council adopted a preliminary solution to the

motor home debate Tuesday in endorsing a law that bans rigs from all city

streets unless they display a temporary, police-issued permit.

Council members voted 3 to 2 to adopt a placard system that allows

recreational vehicle owners to park their rigs on city streets only when

loading and unloading for a trip. Councilmen Gary Monahan and Chris Steel

dissented.

The council’s decision marks the end of a monthlong quandary in which

city officials tried to balance the needs of motor home owners with the

concerns of residents who consider the large vehicles to be unsightly and

dangerous. The issue reappeared in front of the council Monday for the

fourth time in two months.

“I think the City Council has tried to be very sensitive to RV owners

and the homeowners who consider this a problem,” Mayor Linda Dixon said.

Dixon surprised the audience and her colleagues when she changed the

loading and unloading time from 72 to 48 hours. She said she had heard

from numerous RV owners that 48 hours was sufficient.

“I was going to support this motion until you changed the times,”

Steel said.

The new law requires motor home owners to register their vehicles with

the city and place a small sticker on the bumper to identify local motor

homes. Once registered, a resident can request a permit to park on city

streets for 48 hours for loading and another 48 for unloading. People may

register at the police station or online, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl

Schuler said.

RV owners would place a small card in the windshield, letting police

know the vehicle is legally parked. The new ordinance allows for a total

of 30 round trips per year.

The law also includes an “extreme hardship” exception for those who

are disabled or who use a motor home as their only means of

transportation.

Although city officials say they have addressed nearly every concern

that recreational vehicle owners raised at previous meetings, many

residents still opposed the ordinance.

Resident Oran Marksbury said he opposed any law that limits how often

he can use his motor home.

“I will not let you or the Costa Mesa Police Department tell me when I

can or cannot leave town,” Marksbury told the council.

Monahan, who has consistently voted against stricter restrictions on

motor homes, said the city was governing against the distinct character

of Costa Mesa. People choose to live here because the city celebrates

diversity and individuality, he said. The new law promotes conformity and

belongs in a more sterile community, he said.

“There’s a lot of things that I don’t like the looks of, but I’m not

trying to outlaw them,” Monahan said.

When the item first came up for 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 restrictions, but only one appeared Tuesday.

Councilwoman Karen Robinson said the absence of speakers in favor of

the new rules doesn’t mean there is not support for them in the

community.

“That they are not here, doesn’t mean I haven’t heard from them,”

Robinson said.

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

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