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Bicknell commission revises extended-stay, transient-lodging language; sets aside confusing clause
Summary
At a lengthy review Nov. 19, Bicknell commissioners reorganized definitions for 'extended stay' and 'transient lodging,' added RV-park language, removed confusing phrasing and set one clause about 60-day residents aside for later review while flagging broader conditional-use wording for future amendment.
The Bicknell Planning & Zoning Commission devoted significant time Nov. 19 to rewriting draft language that distinguishes 'extended stay' rooms from transient lodging and to other edits affecting short-term rentals and RV parks.
Staff and commissioners read draft definitions aloud and worked through punctuation and parallel phrasing to avoid ambiguity. They agreed that an extended-stay room should be treated as a lodging unit with a working kitchen rented for more than 30 days but not to exceed 60 days total within any 180-day period, and that a transient guest is someone who occupies a room for 30 days or less. The commission also inserted RV parks into the draft definitions and decided short-term rentals should be handled separately from ADU rules.
A sentence addressing who is "deemed a permanent resident" after staying 60 days or longer proved confusing; rather than attempt an immediate rewrite, commissioners moved that paragraph 'into limbo' to revisit later. Commissioners said retaining the 180-day lookback is important to prevent sequential short stays from being used to circumvent the intent of the ordinance.
Members also discussed enforcement-reform context. A commissioner reported filing a complaint with the attorney general about past enforcement confusion tied to a camping issue, and members noted the sheriff’s ability to act can be constrained without clear local ordinance language. Separately, the commission raised broader concerns about conditional-use rules that may be interpreted as presumptively allowing certain uses; some members said the conditional-use section should be revised so the town retains appropriate discretion.
No final ordinance was adopted; staff will continue edits and return the draft for further review. Commissioners agreed to keep the third-Tuesday meeting schedule and to coordinate newsletter and community-event items (such as a light parade) in the short term.
Why it matters: clarified definitions will affect how short-term rentals, extended-stay rooms and RV parks are regulated in Bicknell and how enforcement is applied. Commissioners also signaled intent to amend conditional-use language to preserve local oversight.
