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Goodland commissioners ask staff to draft temporary conditional‑use rules for RV parking as worker demand surges
Summary
Facing an influx of pipeline and wind‑project workers, commissioners directed staff to draft conditional‑use regulations (with a time limit) to allow temporary RV sites in limited residential situations while keeping campground standards and safety requirements.
City leaders in Goodland spent the largest portion of their meeting debating whether to allow temporary RV or short‑term camping on properties currently zoned residential, prompted by an influx of pipeline and wind‑project crews seeking sites.
City Manager Kent outlined four options for council consideration: take no action; require property owners to seek rezoning to commercial; change the zoning code to allow RV parks as a standard use in residential zones (not recommended); or permit RV parks as a conditional use with site‑plan requirements, utility hookups, spacing and safety criteria, and a public hearing process. Kent told commissioners a conditional‑use approach could include an expiration or renewal requirement to make the allowance temporary.
Several existing campground operators urged caution. Scott Weber, owner of Mid America Campground, and Sean, operations manager for KCN campgrounds, said they already pay commercial rates, follow campground rules and insurance requirements, and that rapid, under‑regulated sites could create safety and fairness issues for established businesses. "I just really think you could put your code enforcement people in a really tough situation to work," Weber said, noting utility and sewer concerns.
Bert Measure, economic development director for Sherman County Community Development, told the commission that demand includes multiple crews (pipeline, wind, railroad) and that short‑term sites are bringing money into the community: "We should figure out a short term situation that helps take care of this situation... and keeps bringing the financial help into this community," he said.
Commissioners discussed options at length and generally favored a temporary, conditional‑use path that would require applicants to meet many of the same standards as commercial RV parks (lot size, site spacing, utilities, insurance), possibly allow lot‑size variances, and include a sunset date. One commissioner suggested frequent review — every 60 days — during the temporary period to track conditions and, if needed, shift sites toward commercial zones.
No ordinance was adopted; instead, the commission directed staff to draft an option (staff said they could incorporate commercial RV‑park standards where feasible) for review at a subsequent meeting that would include limits on site counts, a time limit, and safety requirements.
Next steps: staff (planning, code enforcement, police, and legal) will draft conditional‑use language and an implementation plan with an expiration/renewal mechanism for commission review.
