RV code changes stirring concern

SANDPOINT — Bonner County is seeking to amend its land use code to expand opportunities for recreational vehicle park development, in addition to shedding a prohibition against residing in an RV for more than 120 days.

The proposed code changes are being taken up by the Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission during a public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 21. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building.

Planning Director Milton Ollerton said P&Z resolved to jettison the 120-day occupancy limit because it was essentially unenforceable.

“The P&Z Commission was adamant against regulating temporary use of RVs on property,” Ollerton said.

Landowners have been able to use RVs as a permanent dwelling by obtaining a building location permit. Ollerton said the county is contemplating a less intensive permit review process for using RVs as a permanent home.

“We will likely come out with a modified BLP, where the fee is probably much less than the regular fee,” Ollerton said, adding that reviewing RV sites requires less staff time.

The panel is also recommending allowing up to two RVs to be used on a parcel. It also recommends allowing RV parks in Agricultural/Forest, Rural and Suburban zones with a conditional use permit.

Campgrounds, meanwhile, would be added as permitted uses in the aforementioned zones, in addition to Commercial, Rural Service Center, Recreation and Alpine Village zones.

The county is also proposing design standards for new RV parks. Design standards for RV parks are currently established through the conditional use permit process.

But the proposed regulations are stirring concern over social media and even launched a petition drive in an attempt to thwart the changes.

Some object to RV location permits as a cash grab or a governmental intrusion. There are also perceptions that the code changes would require RVs to hook up to septic and water utilities, which Ollerton said is not the case.

“We’re not regulating for sewer hookups. It doesn’t have to have water,” Ollerton said.

The modified location permit for RVs is only meant to ensure setbacks are observed, which is particularly important because RV densities could increase and impact neighboring landowners, according to Ollerton.

“We want to know where that permanent space is to make sure that it meets setbacks,” he said.

The city of Kootenai is objecting to the proposal, contending the expansion of RV parks and campgrounds into additional zoning districts would open virtually all property surrounding the city open to such developments. The city further asserts that permitting such facilities within the area of city impact would impact water and sewer services in the city.

Kootenai Mayor Nancy Lewis also notes that clarity is lacking on what are considered adequate water and sewer hookups.

“Effects of these uses on solid waste services does not appear to have been examined,” Lewis said in the city’s comment letter to the county.

The Panhandle Health District is recommending the agency route conditional use permit requests for new parks and campgrounds and requiring site evaluations for septic suitability.

“High quality public and environmental health conditions are important for protecting Idaho citizens and maintaining property values in Bonner County, and proper wastewater management directly impacts public and environmental health conditions,” Kathryn Kolberg, a Panhandle Health District environmental health supervisor, said in PHD’s comment letter.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.