2021-07-02 John Ambrose
Adrienne Weatherly
From:john ambrose <jaandfam@yahoo.com>
Sent:Friday, July 2, 2021 6:38 AM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Proposed changing regarding RVs and other recreational vehicles. Meridian City
Code 11-3C-4.A.2
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
I am expressing my concerns for the proposed revision of Meridian City Code 11-3C-4 specific to the
section regarding storage and parking of RV, boats, etc.
Meridian City Code 11-3C-4.A.2 currently requires recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and other personal recreation items to be parked in the rear or on the side
of a home and be screened from public view with a 6-foot tall fence. These provisions of code have been in place since 2005.
The proposed changes would allow one (1) licensed and registered recreational vehicle or trailer, boat or off-highway vehicle weighing less than 16,000 pounds to
be parked in front of homes, provided it is parked on gravel, asphalt or concrete.
I strongly oppose the proposed revision based on the following concerns:
1) Safety: Allowing a homeowner to park a vehicle in front of their home obstructs a driver, cyclist,
and pedestrians view. I have observed multiple instances where children have come off sidewalks
either on scooters, skateboards, bikes, or walking when they have not been paying attention and cars
have had to react quickly. Obstruct someone's view further because of a trailer, boat etc. elevates
the chances of someone being injured. The possibility of two RV's being parked across from one
another on a street is a real potential and based on the width of the streets and the width of a trailer
would make it difficult for two cars to pass one another. Also in the case of an emergency, it could
limited or delay access by emergency vehicles.
2) Enforcement: There is noted in the explanation that an HOA could override the City ordinance
through their CCR"s. Unfortunately without a city ordinance they are hardly enforceable. In our
development, a car was parked in the street for months in front of a handicap access to allow
someone in a wheelchair easy access to cross the street. Nothing happen until someone from the city
came and tagged the car ( the car was moved that evening).
3) Space: Based on the allowable lot sizes in most developments, in many instances there is not
enough space to park a RV, etc. in front of a person's home. This could lead to individuals parking
them along a portion of the street a few doors down that does not have a house fronting the
street. There are places in my neighborhood (and I am sure in others) where the street curves and
there are no homes along that section so there is a stretch of possible parking . Individuals have
temporarily parked a boat or trailer in that area for a short period of time. However it is a blind curve
and cars have had to swerve to avoid another car because of the limited visibility.
I really appreciate the opportunity to express my concerns. Many developments have options for RV
garages, and there are multiple storage facilities in the area to allow for RV's and other large vehicles
to be stored without the need to allow for them to be parked in streets in neighborhoods. In my
opinion individuals who can afford Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. should be able to afford
to make allowances to store per the current code or utilize a storage facility.
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There are areas in the country that allow people to live in public spaces. I have seen first hand near
my mothers home in California, people (because of city ordinance) who live in parked trailers and
cars on major streets and neighborhoods. It honestly is sad to see how that community has
deteriorated. I believe Meridian has a better vision for its city and community and hope our City
officials do not change the ordinance.
Respectfully,
John Ambrose
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