When the city of Cortez asked for public feedback on an ordinance allowing recreational vehicles to be used as homes in mobile home parks, one could almost hear the crickets chirping.
After months of discussion and revisions before the Planning and Zoning Commission, the ordinance passed the city council 6-1 Tuesday with only a handful of local residents having chimed in on the issue.
Only Rocky Banovac, the main proponent of the change, spoke at Tuesdays council meeting saying the use of recreational vehicles and travel trailers as long-term residences is good for growth, commerce and is common practice where he lives in Arizona.
Its working well in these communities. I dont see why it wouldnt work here, he said.
Banovac owns three of the 13 mobile home parks in town.
The ordinance makes a modification to the city land use code to allow recreational vehicles and travel trailers to be used as long term dwellings in Cortez mobile home parks.
The change allows up to 10 percent of spaces in Cortez mobile home parks to be occupied by RVs or travel trailers.
The rule makes a mobile home park owner responsible for filing a site plan to the city and a permit to be obtained. Further, the RV or travel trailer must be up to code on electrical systems and must be at least 20 feet in length.
A one-time $40 fee will be required for a fire and code compliance inspection. Existing RV residents in mobile home parks that moved in prior to the ordinance becoming official will be grand-fathered in under the proposal, and will not be required to get a permit.
Concerns were expressed regarding the mobility of recreational vehicles and their ability to be moved in and out quickly without notice from building officials. Fire/safety concerns were also expressed regarding construction add-ons and spacing between vehicles.
The code requires a 20-foot space between units.
More than 900 letters were sent out to residents and neighbors of mobile home parks early this year seeking feedback on the issue. Only a handful of responses were received.
One respondent opposed the idea, pointing out the city already has dedicated short-term RV parks. Another respondent was also opposed, concerned RV residents will cut and run suddenly. A Cortez business owner spoke in support of the ordinance, saying neighbors who live in recreational vehicles are clean, courteous and quiet.
Reach Reid Wright at [email protected]
