Bluff Planning & Zoning unanimously recommends draft RV ordinance to town council

The Bluff Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously Dec. 4 to recommend the town attorney’s revised RV ordinance to the Bluff Town Council.

Chair Amanda Podmore opened discussion on the draft, highlighting a concern about how the ordinance treats sites offered in exchange for service. Commissioners agreed to explicitly include employees and volunteers in the RV‑park definition so housing provided in exchange for work would be subject to park standards. Commissioner Marsha Hainfeld noted the need to ensure the language covered short‑ and long‑term arrangements and suggested moving “overnight rental” language to the end of the definition for clarity.

Kristen Bushnell, building‑department staff, and other commissioners also discussed whether the ordinance should regulate truck campers and smaller tow‑behind units. One commissioner asked whether the draft’s last sentence—distinguishing units with bathroom facilities—added enforceable benefit; the group agreed that it did not and removed that specific distinction to avoid creating a loophole for units that can cause nuisance even without internal plumbing.

The commission addressed enforcement language and cross‑references to county land‑use clearances; members recommended removing obsolete references to San Juan County land‑use terms and asked staff to ensure the town’s building‑permit and land‑use processes align with the new zoning code language before council review.

After additional minor edits and a motion to recommend the draft as presented, commissioners voted in favor; the motion passed by voice vote. The commission did not identify any conditions or amendments to the recommendation that would change the ordinance text before it goes to town council.

Next steps: the town attorney will finalize the redline for council consideration and staff will prepare any cross‑departmental cleanup to align county or building‑permit language.