One clause drives motor home debate

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- After six months of lively exchange, the most agreeable

solution to the city’s running motor home debate hinges on the

interpretation of one clause in the suggested parking ordinance.

That one line, which proposes a 72-hour exemption to a citywide

parking ban of recreational vehicles on public streets, is all that

stands between a well-accepted new ordinance and a highly contested one.

“This 72-hour thing seems to be the only thing that is a major concern

to all involved,” said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl Schuler, who was

charged with revising the city’s existing law to crack down on those who

use public streets as motor home storage.

Last week, council members unanimously instructed staffers to draft an

oversized-vehicle ordinance that is similar to Newport Beach’s. It would

prohibit recreational vehicles from parking on city streets, with a

24-hour exception for loading and unloading.

The Newport Beach law offers an additional 72 hours when requested by

the owner and approved by police.

Dave Goss, president of the Costa Mesa RV Owners Assn., said his group

supports the city’s stricter parking ordinance only if it offers some

flexibility for additional travel preparation time -- as Newport Beach’s

law does.

And Mayor Linda Dixon said last week she wanted to ensure exceptions

are granted only in hardship cases -- again, as Newport Beach’s law does.

But it doesn’t appear that Goss and Dixon have exactly the same law in

mind. Both said they spoke with the same Newport Beach parking

enforcement supervisor, yet each came away with a vastly different

interpretation of the 72-hour exception.

On the 21st page of a staff report from the Costa Mesa Police

Department is an example of the Newport Beach ordinance. The section in

question states that motor home owners may park their large vehicles

adjacent to their homes “for no more than 72 hours for the purposes of

loading, unloading, cleaning, battery-charging or any other activity

preparatory to travel, provided permission has been granted by the Chief

of Police, or his or her designee.”

Schuler said Wednesday the 72-hour clause was a matter of discretion.

“Not anyone can get one at any given time,” Schuler said.

Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Shulman said his department was

“relatively flexible” with regard to extending the loading and unloading

time. The department does not grant many exceptions, and it is easy to

track if people are trying to take advantage of the rule, he said.

The question remains: How much does Costa Mesa want to be like Newport

Beach?

Dixon was unavailable for comment Wednesday but expressed concern from

the dais that Costa Mesa clearly define who would be eligible for

additional loading time.

Dixon’s comments worry Goss, who is ready to rescind any former

support and rally the troops, once again, to battle City Hall.

While most trips can be readied for in 24 hours, there are some that

require additional time.

Many motor home owners are retired and some have the luxury of taking

monthlong trips, Goss said.

Goss’ own three-month, 9,000-mile trip to Alaska took two weeks to

prepare for, though he was able to break it down to 72-hour increments,

he said.

“The availability of the 72-hour extension is the key element,” Goss

said. “If that goes away, our support goes away.”

Credit for thwarting a handful of previous attempts to tighten parking

restrictions for oversized vehicles falls to dozens of recreational

vehicle owners who flooded council chambers in protest. When the council

considered the first Newport Beach-like law in December -- sans the

72-hour exception -- about 40 motor home owners spoke against it.

Schuler said he doesn’t know which direction the Costa Mesa ordinance

will take but said he is meeting with other city officials to figure out

the best compromise.

“We just want something that is doable and make the most people happy,

but at the same time have some teeth in it so we are not running around

chasing RVs like we are now,” Schuler said.

Schuler and city officials will present their decision to motor home

owners at a special town hall meeting, which has yet to be scheduled but

must be held before the issue returns to the council in July.

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

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