RV code changes partially advance

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to advance the bulk of a controversial land use code change involving recreational vehicles to county commissioners for final approval.

The panel, however, is requesting additional time to perfect the verbiage of the code addressing the private use of RVs as temporary and permanent dwellings. Moving forward are parts of the code change addressing commercial development of RV parks and campgrounds in Bonner County.

The recommendations followed a three-hour public hearing and death threats over social media over the county’s code change. A Sandpoint Police officer, however, was on hand, which appeared to keep torches and pitchforks from emerging during the hearing.

The hearing also filled to capacity the 85-seat conference room.

The code changes are meant to expand the zoning districts where RV parks and campgrounds are allowed, in addition to allowing up to two RVs to be used for permanent housing on a parcel. The current code allows only one RV.

Current code also limits temporary use of an RV for housing to 120 days, which P&Z seeks to abolish due to the difficultly in enforcement and to recognize that RVs are a form of affordable housing in a real estate market which is marching back to its pre-crash levels.

“Understand that this is a loosening of the code,” Planning Director Milton Ollerton said during the staff presentation of the proposed code changes.

The proposed changes, however, have touched a raw nerve, with some contending they are an unnecessary and unconstitutional government intrusion on the use of private property.

“Many of us here are looking for less regulation, not more,” said Priest River resident Tracy Roberts.

The proposed changes also drew objections from the city of Kootenai, which is ringed by zoning districts in which RV parks and campgrounds could be sighted if the changes are approved. Such development could also overwhelm its sewer system.

“The Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District is almost at full capacity,” said Kootenai Councilwoman Grace Bauer.

The Panhandle Health District, meanwhile, has expressed concern over proper wastewater disposal from RVs. Ollerton said building location permits will not be routed to the health district, although conditional use permits for commercial RV parks and campgrounds would still be reviewed by the agency.

P&Z Chairman Don Davis said the real estate market is driving land use decisions and acknowledged that some people are perfectly fine with living in an RV and that some neighbors may not be pleased with such an arrangement.

“We get both ends of the spectrum,” Davis said.

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