RV parking raises discussion

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Following the comments of an indignant resident who felt the enforcement of bylaw 14-11 victimized RV owners on his street, Strathmore’s town council requested the regulation be brought back for review with possible options to address RV parking in residential communities.
Strathmore homeowner Don Rhodes received a letter in June regarding the parking of his travel trailer in his driveway on Strathaven Drive. The letter stated for the vehicle to be removed by July 25.
Rhodes had experienced the same situation last year and wasn’t the only one of his neighbours to be served with the paperwork. Upon removing their recreational vehicles at the end of July, Rhodes became aware other residents in Strathmore were not receiving the same treatment.
“It seems to me whoever is pushing the issue is only pushing one street in this town, and that’s Strathaven Drive,” he said. “All of us moved, and I drove around town. There are trailers parked everywhere in front of houses. So why are they picking on our street? That’s what I can’t understand. If they’re going to pick on me and my neighbours, pick on everybody in the town who owns a trailer.”
Bylaw 14-11 is based on a complaint system, meaning enforcement only occurs when complaints are received from the public. The bylaw states no person shall allow a recreational vehicle in the front yard – or anywhere on the driveway – for a period exceeding 72 hours in any 168-day period, or three days over half a year.
“That specific issue, neighbours complaining, was very clear when we enacted the bylaw because the problem is that some people are very much bothered by trailers in front of their properties,” said Councillor Bob Sobol, who was present when the bylaw was first enacted. “I’m not judging here … but it comes down to everybody has a right to be peaceful in their residence and to enjoy their property.”
Regardless, Rhodes said the bylaw is unjust and asked council to revisit the regulation and possibly entertain a blanket system – affecting every Strathmore citizen equally – relaxing the bylaw for certain months during the year, and introducing permits. According to Rhodes, the town’s bylaw officers had suggested proposing the idea of possibly relaxing the bylaw from beginning of May to the end of September.
“I have a great deal of respect for community members who come forward and identify problems and offer solutions,” said Councillor Denise Peterson at the Sept. 20 regular council meeting.
“I very much like (the) idea of seeking permits. I think that’s a really creative, reasonable and rational solution. In seeking out a permit, they could look at those objections … because not all properties are going to be the same. Before issuing a permit they could look into those things and it brings another level of reason.”
Councillor Rocky Blokland also mentioned he would be in favour of tweaking the bylaw to relax the enforcement over the summer months, and echoed Councillor Pat Fule’s comment on bringing the bylaw back before council.
Council voted to bring back bylaw 14-11 for reflection and review at the earliest possible time, along with exploring options for the relaxation of enforcement from May to September, and a permit inspection system.
Blokland also felt it would allow for a more positive outcome.
“I was not in favour of the wording of the bylaw but I do have to respect the bylaw,” he said. “I think we can tweak this bylaw a little bit so it makes everybody happy to a certain point. You’ll never get 100 per cent of the people satisfied, but I think we can do a little bit of tweaking with it and address the concerns.”