City Council puts brakes on new RV law

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- City Council members voted unanimously Monday to

postpone a decision on any law to place limits on recreational vehicles

until they have more detailed information about their options.

“The staff report did not address why the [previously approved]

ordinance wouldn’t work and why the [newly proposed] ordinance would,”

Mayor Linda Dixon said.

On Feb. 19, council members tentatively approved a permit system that

would require a police-issued permit to park RVs on a residential street

for up to 48 hours. The controversial new law was up for final approval

Monday, but Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl Schuler also endorsed another

option in the staff report.

His alternative suggests a 72-hour parking limit for recreational

vehicles but requires owners to move the rig at least 20 miles every

three days.

To ensure the motor home has been moved, the odometer must be visible

at all times. If it is not, or the rig hasn’t been moved at least 20

miles, the vehicle would be ticketed, according to Schuler’s report.

The report states the alternative would be easy to enforce and would

deter people from using city streets as a storage facility. The burden of

moving 20 miles every three days would cut down the number of rigs on the

street, the report shows.

Of the nearly 50 people who spoke to council on the issue, about half

said the most recent proposal could work if it were cleaned up.

Recreational vehicle owner Bill Folsom -- who is one of the unofficial

leaders of the now organized group -- urged fellow motor home owners to

support the new proposal.

“Lt. Schuler came up with an excellent alternative that puts some

teeth into [the existing parking law],” Folsom said.

The City Council initiated tougher parking restrictions for motor

homes after hearing from many residents that they are unsightly and

dangerous, and that some owners -- in and out of Costa Mesa -- use city

streets as rig storage.

Cowan echoed that sentiment.

“I want to get RVs that don’t belong to our residents off our

streets,” Cowan said.

Schuler was directed to research how the alternative proposal would

monitor motor homes with digital odometers, which are not visible unless

the vehicle is turned on. The council also asked for a thorough review of

case law regarding the city’s ability to create tougher parking laws.

The issue is expected to return to the council April 15.

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

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