Planning And Zoning Discussing Updates To RV Ordinances

The Planning and Zoning Commission during the work-session Monday afternoon.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – What size and how a recreational and commercial vehicle can be stored on residential property is being reviewed by the Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission.

After the most recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the members agreed to a work session to discuss the future of the city code as it pertains to how Oskaloosa residents store their RV’s, boats and even park their commercial vehicles on their property.

On Monday evening, the members discussed the current ordinances and agreed that the current height and length limits are out of date with current recreational vehicles. Also approved was looking at adding crushed stone and gravel as approved areas for the parking of those vehicles and trailers.

In the Oskaloosa Code, “”Recreational vehicle” means a vehicle towed or self-propelled on its own chassis or attached to the chassis of another vehicle and designed or used for temporary dwelling, recreational, or sporting purposes. Recreational vehicles include, but are not limited to, travel trailers; campers; motor coach homes; converted buses and trucks, boats, and boat trailers.”

Jon Zobel, Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission said, “I think we’ve actually added to the rights of the citizens of the community,” pointing out that according to the code that is currently in place, RV’s could only be parked on pavement. The new ordinance would allow more options to property owners for the surface used for the parking of their RV.

Zobel and the rest of the commission tackled the topic of the parking of heavy equipment for those who drive semi’s and dump trucks for example. The new provisions would allow for the parking of those vehicles on residential property if done so on a paved surface.

“I think we’ve kept some of the important safety features,” Zobel added. “I think what we’re going to end up offering to the city council for their review is going to be more open for the community, but fair.” Zobel added, “It will also help protect neighbors of RV owners as well.”

The commission recommended that the height limit be set to 13 foot 6 inches. This was used by the commission because of DOT limitations currently in place on the height of vehicles. Also removed was the length limit, and utilized current state regulations already in place with the Iowa DOT that covers RV vehicles.

Parking of the vehicles, if the update ordinance is adopted, will have a parking setback of 20 foot from the curb. This is being reviewed to allow a safe visibility to traffic.

Zobel adds that there may be some instances were the new ordinance may cause complications for the homeowner. “I really want to stress that it’s really not about punishing people who are in non-compliance, it’s about setting the most fair standards that we could set, and if people are outside of that standard, that’s exactly what the Board of Adjustments is for, and variances are available for those situations.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission will review the final draft of the updated ordinance on July 8th in the Oskaloosa City Council chambers. If approved, it will move on to the Oskaloosa City Council for their consideration.