Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Uses topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board tables accessory‑use rules on boats, RVs and driveway parking after debate over waterfront boat lifts
Summary
The board continued proposed amendments to Section 127‑92 (parking and storage of RVs, boats and major recreational equipment) to the Aug. 20 meeting after lengthy discussion about whether boat lifts, docks and small nonmotorized craft (kayaks/canoes) should be included or exempted and how to make the rule enforceable.
Planner Tammy Vrana presented proposed changes to Section 127‑92 intended to clarify permanent storage rules and to expand objective standards for temporary driveway parking of recreational equipment. Key changes in the draft include extending allowable consecutive temporary driveway parking from 24 to 72 hours and adding a monthly cap of six days for temporary driveway parking for loading, cleaning or maintenance.
"Temporary driveway parking shall not exceed 72 consecutive hours. It shall not exceed 6 days total during any calendar month," Vrana said, summarizing the specific operational standards under consideration. The proposal would also require equipment remain operable and, where required, licensed or registered, and would prohibit encroachment on sidewalks or rights‑of‑way.
Board members raised several practical questions specific to Port Richey’s waterfront: whether a provision that bars parking or storage on a "partial lot or noncontiguous segment of a residential lot situated between the public right of way and a body of water" could be read to prohibit boat lifts or floating docks across a street from a house, and whether kayaks and canoes should fall under the definition of "watercraft" or "major recreational equipment." Members asked staff to reconcile local code language with Florida vessel statutes (Florida Statute 327.02 was cited during the discussion) and to draft clearer language that protects sidewalks and rights‑of‑way without unintentionally forbidding common dock/lift practices.
Given the detailed definitional and enforcement questions, the board voted to continue the Section 127‑92 item to the Planning & Zoning Board meeting on August 20 at 6:00 p.m. so staff can return with revised language and clarifications.
