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Council hears hours of public comment on proposed RV/backyard‑housing rules; many urge revisions to 15‑day limit
Summary
A proposed zoning amendment to allow limited accessory recreational‑vehicle use (15 days per year by current draft) drew extensive public testimony; presenters split between property‑rights objections and staff concerns about nuisances and health, and councilors asked staff to revisit wording and time limits before sending to planning board.
The Rochester City Council devoted a substantial portion of its Dec. 17 meeting to a proposed amendment of Chapter 275 of the zoning code governing modular housing, manufactured housing and recreational vehicles (RVs). City staff framed the draft as addressing accessory uses only (not campgrounds) and as a targeted response to neighbor complaints in tight single‑family neighborhoods.
Inspector/Director Jim Grant explained the draft would allow limited temporary RV use under specified sanitation and hookup conditions, authorize property owners to host a guest RV for up to 15 days in a year, allow an RV for up to one year when a building permit is active for a replacement dwelling, and preserve separate campground rules and seasonal labor exemptions. “What this ordinance is doing now is trying to relax some of those rules in order to get to some comfort,” Grant said, adding the text draws on language used by peer communities.
Public comment was extensive and sharply divided. Critics said a 15‑day cap is too restrictive for families, traveling nurses and snowbirds and asserted the draft would create enforcement burdens and chill property‑use freedoms. Rick Peralta described RVs as entirely self‑contained homes and warned the limit would lead to intrusive complaint‑driven enforcement. Multiple public commenters urged the council to send the draft back to committee to refine definitions and exceptions. Samantha Montgomery and others emphasized homelessness and housing insecurity, saying temporary RV use can be a survival option for some residents.
Supporters of restrictions stressed neighborhood quality, safety and sanitation concerns. Staff pointed to complaints of improper sewage disposal and occasional fires and said the measure aims to balance health standards with property owners’ reasonable use. Councilors asked staff to clarify hookups, whether the 15‑day allowance is per property or per vehicle (the draft reads per property), and whether the 15‑day figure could be lengthened or made more flexible for family visits; several councilors suggested 30 days or a per‑year aggregate that allows non‑consecutive visits.
Grant said the draft would next go to the planning board for additional review and that there was time to clarify language. Several councilors asked that staff refine the ordinance to better distinguish seasonal/ farm/ employer exceptions from family visits and to add clarity about enforcement and landlord‑tenant implications before a first reading.
