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Commission defers vote on RV and temporary-use zoning amendments after public debate
Summary
Resolution 25-15, a proposed amendment to define and regulate RVs, mini-storage and temporary medical permits in the county zoning resolution, was deferred 30 days after public comment and commissioner debate; final roll call was 15-3 in favor of deferral.
The Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted to defer action 30 days on resolution 25-15, an amendment to the county zoning resolution that would define recreational vehicles (RVs), mini-storage buildings and removable structures and clarify temporary medical permits and related uses.
Planning director Chris White told commissioners the change aims to give the county humane, enforceable tools to manage people living long-term in RVs. "It's already against our building codes. It is a violation to live in them now as a permanent dwelling," White said, adding that enforcement tools currently available to code officers — such as disconnecting power — can be inhumane when residents include infants or people with medical needs.
Public commenters were split. Kim Thomas described repeated local cases of multiple RVs on adjoining property, deteriorating maintenance and concerns about old septic systems; she asked the commission to support the amendment. In contrast, several residents and commissioners warned the proposed language could infringe on property rights or unintentionally push people into homelessness. Commissioner Drew Anderson and others urged more constituent outreach before final action.
The motion on the floor — to defer the resolution for 30 days so commissioners could gather more input from constituents — passed on a roll-call vote of 15 ayes and 3 noes. The meeting record shows the three no votes were recorded for Commissioners Smith, Vick and Yaki; 15 commissioners voted to defer.
White said the proposed amendment includes provisions allowing short-term RV use for camping or guests without permits and a mechanism to permit RVs for up to six months for people building a house, with extensions available in certain cases. The amendments are intended to address public-health and environmental risks when RVs are used as permanent dwellings without proper septic and infrastructure.
The deferment gives commissioners 30 days to solicit constituent feedback and for planning staff to provide additional clarifications before the amendment returns to the commission for a final vote.
