A campaign against 91原创 Township regulations that restrict where and when recreation vehicles may park has gained some traction, with a council decision to have staff take another look at the rules.
Township resident Allan Balogh wants the RV parking policy changed to require at least two written complaints from nearby residents before bylaw enforcement officers start issuing tickets.
Two complaints are what the municipality requires before it goes after a homeowner for renting out out an illegal secondary suite, Balogh said, and the same principle should apply to RV owners accused of improper parking.
Some RV owners who store their vehicles on their property have complained the Township bylaw enforcement department is being unfair and unreasonable in the way it enforces the rules against parking RVs in front yards.
Balogh told the May 6 meeting of council that a search of Township records under Freedom Of Information regulations failed to find any instance where a complaint was made against an RV owner for parking their vehicle on their own property.
鈥淭here have been no written complaints that relate to RV parking in a driveway,鈥� Balogh said.
鈥淎ll of them relate to parking on the street.鈥�
Balogh was able to convince a majority of council to have staff look into changing the policy 鈥渢o reflect that two written complaints must be received before bylaw enforcement will become involved鈥� and to look into 鈥済randfathering鈥� RV owners who have been storing their vehicles on their own land for years.
In 2011, the Township tightened RV parking rules, only allowing them in front yards if they are at least 1.6 metres from the property line.
As well, parking was only allowed between May 15 and Sept. 15.
From mid-September to mid-May, owners have to store their vehicles off their properties, or within the side or rear confines of their property as set out in the bylaw.
