CYPRESS : City Delays Action on RV Parking Issue

The City Council this week delayed action on a controversial measure that would restrict parking for large vehicles on city streets, deciding to send the proposal back to the Traffic Commission for further review.

It is the second time the Traffic Commission has been charged with ironing out the thorny issue of whether owners of recreational vehicles should be allowed to park in residential neighborhoods.

“We aren’t going to ban RVs or bless them tonight,” Mayor Richard Partin told the 20 or so RV owners who came to the meeting expecting the worst.

Last year, after an owner of a recreational vehicle denounced as discriminatory the city’s policy of warning RV owners to move their vehicles within 72 hours or have them towed, the council asked the commission to study putting the issue on the ballot and letting voters decide.

On Monday, Traffic Commission Chairman David Garber suggested several options that could be included on a special ballot initiative later this year, including leaving the system as it is and restricting parking on city streets from 2 to 6 a.m.

The suggestion angered RV owners, who want the current system left alone.

“I need my motor home to go shopping at least three times a week,” said resident Frank Siler. “It should stay the way it is without any changes.”

The council further suggested three alternatives--examining permit systems used by other cities, requiring owners of large vehicles to park only in front of their homes, and restricting RV parking on city streets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The council remained undecided on whether to put the issue on the ballot. Many council members expressed concerns that the majority of residents would come out against the recreational vehicle owners in an election.

“They think there are more options out there to be reviewed,” said Keith Carter of the city public works department.

The Traffic Commission will begin studying the issue at its meeting next month and will make a recommendation to the council in April, Carter said.