PRESCOTT - The Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend allowing residents to camp temporarily in recreational vehicles and travel trailers on private parcels of 10 acres or more.
It would limit camping to 10 consecutive days as many as three times a year. The vehicles may not connect to utilities and owners may not rent them to other campers. The Board of Supervisors votes on the commission's recommendation at its Nov. 5 meeting in Prescott.
Current zoning ordinances do not allow the public to camp on private property in RVs and travel trailers.
Commissioner Curtis Lindner wondered why the ordinance amendment specified 10 acres instead of five or fewer. Land Use Manager Steve Mauk said that he thought 10-acre parcels would have the least amount of visual impact on neighbors.
"This is a first step; let's give it a go," Commissioner Tom Reilly said. "We can always come back and re-address it."
Commissioners discussed, but did not vote, on two zoning ordinance amendments: the dark sky ordinance and allowing park model trailers as dwellings. Commissioners re-hear and could vote on the proposed amendments at their Oct. 21 meeting in Cottonwood.
The amendment to the dark sky ordinance would allow certain lighting systems that the current ordinance restricts. Restrictions now allow for low-wattage holiday and landscape light systems; motion-sensor security lights that do not shine onto adjacent parcels; and flagpole lights that are fully shielded.
Jerry Schultz, owner of the Cordes Junction Motel and RV Park in Cordes Junction, is installing a 60-foot-tall flagpole at his motel. He told commissioners that it is dangerous to light the pole from the top, which is required in the proposed zoning amendment.
"With a 60-foot pole, you have problems with G-forces and the company will not give a warranty for a top-down light system," Schultz said. "The best way to light it is from the bottom up."
In a letter to commissioners Schultz wrote that top-down lighting "could cause bodily damage from the additional weight at the top, electrocution (from internal wiring friction) and excessive maintenance repair."
Mauk said that he would "explore height limitations for up-lighting" and limitations on wattage and lumens for lights shining from the ground.
The proposed amendment to allow park model trailers as dwellings is limited to models built after Jan. 1, 2003. The amendment excludes RVs, travel and fifth-wheel trailers, and campers.
Park model trailers measure between 320 and less than 400 square feet. They are built on a single chassis, mounted on wheels and designed to connect to utilities. Residents in the park trailers would be limited to single families and one roommate or boarder.
The current ordinance allows park trailers in manufactured home parks, approved Planned Area Developments and as a secondary medical dwelling unit.
The complete texts of the zoning amendment ordinances are available for reading at the Development Services office located at 500 S. Marina St. in Prescott.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
Article comment by:
salute
At least the Cordes Motel is lighting their flag voluntarily.....the garrison advertising flag at Lamb Chevy wasn't lit till veteran's complained to Detroit.!!!
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Christopher
So the kids can't pitch a tent in the back yard for a overnight adventure? The basic right of ownership is occupancy. It is by way of the health and safety codes that create the limitation. However, the limitation on 10 acres is fundamentally unequal with respect to class, when even 1 acre would be sufficient on a limited temporary basis, if it is to be allowed at all. And, those that have camped on any regular basis on their property have a 'grandfather' claim. It seem pretty heavy handed way to solve chronic complaints by way of placing a greater burden on those that don't abuse their right.
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
Article comment by:
The good old
There was a sensible reason for this ordinance. It has something to do with the word TACKY! But who needs it? You can park your trailer, or set up your Indian tipi, your yurts, tents, lean-tos or park your RV in WalMart's outer parking lot. Fit right in! It's the AZ way.
Posted: Thursday, October 08, 2009
Article comment by:
George Seaman
Well at least this is a start. It is ironic that in an area known for supporting "private property rights" it has been against the law to use your own personal property for something that other people are allowed to make money with on their property...camping. If someone's living quarters is not visible to the neighbors, I wonder why we care how they choose to live? This is the very definition of property rights, if you don't hurt your neighbors then government should leave you alone. Log cabins/hogans/tipis etc have all served humanity for eons, but still in Yavapai County they are illegal, even on your own land when they can't be seen by anyone else. Go figure?
