Rig rules go back to the council

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The debate over more stringent restrictions for

recreational vehicles has come full circle. As the issue comes before the

City Council for the sixth time tonight, police are again recommending an

overall ban.

Police Lt. Karl Schuler called the latest proposal an “11h hour

attempt to make everybody happy.” His report was reviewed, evaluated and

tweaked last week by the city manager and city attorney in an effort to

provide the most comprehensive analysis, Schuler said.

“We just want to get it finished and get everybody as happy as they

can be,” Schuler said. “Nothing we’ve come up with so far has been

acceptable.”

City Manager Allan Roeder said Monday’s presentation will reflect the

result of a huge effort by city staff to try and answer all possible

questions for council members and the public. The report lays out various

possible scenarios and the pros and cons of each.

What started as a straight forward proposal to ban motor homes on

residential streets turned into a complex process in which the police,

the City Council and the community have helped refine the suggested law.

Since December, the council has considered and subsequently delayed any

action on about four different proposals.

The council will consider a simple ban, a placard system and tougher

rules for the existing 72-hour law. If they can’t agree on one of those,

the council will also explore the possibility of letting residents decide

the fate of rigs by way of the ballot -- a move that would cost the city

at least $5,500, the report states.

No specific proposal was outlined but the Police Department

recommended a more straight forward ordinance like Newport Beach’s to

allow for the easiest enforcement. The report suggests the city follow

its neighbor’s lead regarding oversized vehicles and ban the rigs from

public streets.

This line of thinking was the basis of the original ordinance that

garnered preliminary approval in December. That law banned the parking of

motor homes on residential streets, with a 24-hour exception for the

purpose of loading and unloading only.

The council’s decision to embrace that idea prompted rig owners to

flood City Hall when the law was up for formal approval. More than 40 rig

owners claimed they were being punished for the abuses of a few

irresponsible people who store their vehicles on public streets.

The same crowd, which has dwindled to a core 20 people over the last

five months, has consistently attended each meeting on the subject.

Monday night will be no different, said rig owner Billy Folsom, who

has emerged as a leader of the group. Dozens of recreational vehicle

owners held a rally Sunday at Fairview Park to discuss strategy for the

meeting.

Council members have said they initiated tougher parking restrictions

for motor homes after hearing from numerous residents that the large

vehicles are unsightly and dangerous and that some owners use the public

streets as rig storage.

Some of those residents have bravely gone against the spirited

recreational vehicle crowd and encouraged the council to adopt a ban.

FYI

What: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. today

Where: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Information: (714) 754-5225

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

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .