Swansea trustees debate RV and trailer parking rules; staff to rewrite ordinance language on acceptable surfaces

Trustees and staff spent a substantial portion of the community and economic development committee meeting discussing whether and how to restrict parking of recreational vehicles, trailers and similar equipment on private property and public streets.

Staff explained legal constraints: as a non-home-rule municipality Swansea cannot impose certain permit or sticker schemes and must work within county and state limitations. The board explored a range of options, including allowing RVs and trailers on a side or rear driveway, permitting parking on unimproved surfaces only if the surface is treated or constructed to an 'improved surface' standard, and prohibiting parking on public streets.

The code definition of "improved surface" was read into the record; staff described it as material constructed to distribute vehicle load and prevent deterioration, and said the improved surface must encompass the steering line. Trustees asked staff to draft a clearer ordinance that enumerates acceptable surface materials (for example, specific rock or crushed-stone types) and to consider grandfathering existing situations. Several trustees emphasized that enforcement capacity and equal application of rules must be addressed in the rewrite.

Public-safety was a recurring justification for regulation: trustees and residents noted narrow streets in older subdivisions where parked trailers can impede emergency access. Staff and trustees agreed to take the feedback and produce revised ordinance language that clarifies "improved surface," spells out acceptable materials, and sets an enforcement approach; the item will return to committee for further review.