Planning commission recommends creating RV-park zoning district instead of adding RV use to C-2

The Springdale City Planning Commission on Feb. 4 recommended that City Council consider establishing a dedicated RV-park zoning district rather than adding RV parks as a permitted use in the city’s C-2 commercial zone.

Planning staff said the council had asked the commission to hold a public hearing on adding RV parks as a permitted use in C-2, but after drafting options staff concluded that a separate RV district would better allow site-specific standards. “If we make it a permitted use in the C-2, it would be my recommendation that we present to the council an option of … create an RV park district so that we’re not mixing apples and oranges together in a commercial zone,” a planning staff member said.

The staff presentation noted that Springdale’s existing RV-park standards have not been used in 28 years and would require updating if the use were simply added to C-2. Commissioners discussed alternatives, including delaying a recommendation while staff revised standards, but moved that the commission recommend a new RV-park district with its own requirements. The motion to recommend the RV-district path to council was moved (identified in the record as “Miss Cariel”), seconded by Commissioner Jennifer Keith, and approved by the commission.

Commissioners and staff also noted practical next steps: drafting standards and returning a recommended ordinance to City Council within about 90 days if Council wishes to proceed. The commission acknowledged the council retains the option to instead approve an amendment allowing RV parks in C-2.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final zoning action is taken by the Springdale City Council. Staff will prepare an ordinance or ordinance options for the council’s consideration that reflect the commission’s recommendation and any updated development standards.