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Clewiston commission tables proposed RV/storage ordinance to Oct. 21 after extended debate
Summary
After an hour of public input and commissioner questions about aesthetics, lot sizes and enforcement, the Clewiston City Commission voted to table final action on Ordinance 2024‑03 (storage on private property) to Oct. 21 and scheduled a workshop with Planning & Zoning to refine numeric limits and enforcement language.
The Clewiston City Commission on July 15 voted to table final action on Ordinance 2024‑03, which would change how recreational vehicles and travel trailers are stored on private property, setting a new hearing date of Oct. 21 and directing staff to hold a joint workshop with the Planning & Zoning board.
The item drew sustained discussion from commissioners and staff about whether to remove a 60‑foot setback requirement and replace it with a facade‑oriented standard, whether to limit the number of RVs that can be parked on small lots, and how to prevent people from living permanently in vehicles. Planning & Zoning recommended removing the 60‑ft setback and left numeric limits to the commission.
Travis, community development staff, summarized the technical change being proposed and the PNZ recommendation, saying the revised language would let property owners place authorized trailers on their lots but would leave the commission discretion to set numeric limits and facade standards. Commissioners raised practical concerns: small lots that cannot accommodate rear‑yard storage, encroachment into sidewalks and required parking, and enforcement costs if vehicles are left on grass or used as dwellings.
Public comment earlier in the meeting touched related enforcement themes: resident Roly Gonzalez told the commission he had removed political signs from his personal truck after city contact and asked for clearer procedures from the city attorney and staff. The commission said clarifying the ordinance and enforcement approach would help avoid inconsistent or ad hoc enforcement.
On the motion floor, Commissioner Edmonds moved to table the ordinance to Oct. 21; Commissioner Thompson seconded and the motion carried. Commissioners said they expect at least one workshop with PNZ before the next hearing and signaled openness to tailored rules by residential district or time‑limited front‑yard parking to reduce the risk of vehicle dwellings.
Next steps: staff will schedule a joint workshop with Planning & Zoning, prepare draft numeric limits and facade/setback language for commissioners to review, and return the ordinance to the commission for a future hearing on Oct. 21.
