Bluff considers RV, mobile-home rules; residents raise camping, generator and definition concerns

Planning & Zoning presented a comprehensive draft ordinance to regulate recreational vehicles (RVs) and mobile-home parks in Bluff, including maps and a chart that describes where and how many units are allowed, setbacks, lot-size rules, and design standards for parks.

Marshall, a Planning & Zoning commissioner, said the commission sought to "stay out of the business of a mobile home park" while ensuring basic health, safety and neighborhood protections: "Please meet some basic good standards and then make your park work within those standards," he said. The draft is under legal review and is out for additional public comment through Nov. 7.

Public commenters urged clarifications and specific changes. Josh Ewing described on-street camping and generator noise he has observed, and recommended adding the word "unoccupied" to the 24-hour-street-parking allowance so the ordinance does not read as an invitation to set up long-term camps on residential streets. He also asked that the ordinance clarify inconsistent definitions: one section describes long-term as more than 30 days while another allows occupancy in a driveway for up to six months.

Nicole Croft, director of operations at Verziers Partnership, asked whether volunteer and short-term staff housing provided at nonprofit properties would count as a "recreational vehicle park" and requested clearer exemptions so nonprofit operations can comply.

Staff said they will collect further written comment and that legal review is ongoing.