North Platte planning commission tables proposed RV-storage ordinance changes, schedules public hearing

The North Platte City Planning Commission on Sept. 23 voted to table proposed amendments to City Code section 7.6.22 governing parking and storage of recreational vehicles, and directed staff to return the item as a public hearing at the commission's October meeting.

Planning staff member Judy presented draft language and said the changes were intended to address concerns raised at previous meetings. Judy said she was “kinda wonder[ing] if it doesn't make sense to let this simmer for a month, come back to a public hearing, and take some input from the community.” That motion was moved and seconded, amended on the floor to specify a public hearing, and approved.

The draft ordinance would add several new limits and clarifications, including a reference to existing side-yard setback requirements; a provision that RV slide-outs “shall remain fully retracted while it's parked or stored,” and a prohibition on living in an RV on private property. Planning staff and commissioners discussed how a requirement that RV pads be subject to standard setback rules could create hardship for properties with existing concrete pads poured to or near lot lines. Bill, the city attorney, noted that because a concrete pad is not a vertical structure, setbacks may not currently apply and that changing the language could “basically say you can't do that because you can't meet a 7 foot setback.”

Commissioners and staff heard several practical questions: whether slide-outs could be deployed when an RV is on private property but within the setback, how enforcement would work if violations rely on complaints, and whether existing installations should be grandfathered. Judy said some areas of town — she named the Sequoia Drive area — already have multiple existing pads and RVs parked in side yards. Commissioners expressed concern about enforcement capacity and potential hardship for property owners who had already poured pads and followed the law as written.

The commission did not adopt any ordinance language. Instead it voted to table the matter and directed staff to advertise and return the item for public comment at the October meeting so residents can review proposed edits in advance.

The tabling motion was made on the floor and amended to set the October meeting as a public hearing; a formal roll-call tally for the tabling motion was not recorded in the transcript.

Commissioners and staff encouraged members of the public to submit suggested edits to planning staff before the next meeting so the draft can be refined in advance.