Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2008 05 08

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Commencing with a City Council study session in January of 2007 the City initiated discussions related to the storage and parking of recreational vehicles and trailers on private residential properties. City Council conducted two study sessions in January and March of 2007 related to this subject. Those discussions ultimately resulted in action taken by the City Council in May of 2007 to approve Ordinance No. 1511, Series 2007. The ordinance effectively repealed the following provisions adopted into the Louisville Municipal Code in 2002 pertaining to the storage and parking of trailers on private residential lots: • No trailer may be parked in the front yard of a residential lot for more than 72 hours. • No trailer may be parked on the side yard unless the side yard is enclosed with a privacy fence at least 4 feet in height, and no more than 6 feet in height. • The privacy fence cannot obstruct the vision clearance requirements. The draft ordinance was reviewed at a regular public hearing of the Planning Commission on March 8, 2007. The record from that meeting reflects that the Commission expressed a concern that if the repeal were approved that the City would not have the ability to enforce the parking of trailers on private property. At a March 13, 2007 study session, the City Council expressed their intent that an ordinance should be brought forward to address the extent to which private property owners would be able to park and store detached trailers, campers, and boats on private residential lots. Further, the ordinance should address the following criteria: 1. Definition as to the type of unit being regulated. The type of unit may include all motor vehicles and trailers on private property or just those meeting a certain size criteria. 2. Clarification as to the number of vehicles or trailers may be parked or stored. 3. Where such eligible vehicles or trailers may be parked or stored. 4. Distance between an eligible motor vehicle or trailer to a sidewalk or property line. 5. A requirement that such vehicles or trailers be owned by the homeowner or the tenant. The Departments of Public Safety and Planning at that point commenced a process, working with the City Attorney's Office, to draft amendments to the LMC which would establish clear and enforceable standards to address the parking of motor vehicles, as well as the parking and storing of recreational vehicles and trailers on private property. Planning Commission Comments: The Planning Commission record from the April 17, 2008 meeting reflects the following commnts: 1. No setbacks supported for motor vehicles. 2. General support for screening of motor vehicles and recreational vehicles. 3. Increase number of nights from 5 to 14 over a 6 month period. 4. Reduce depth of material required for an improved surface. 2