Calgary committee rejects changes to RV parking regulations on highways

Calgary City Councilor Peter Demong says the new RV storage rules will “beat the bear” in creating community conflict.

Members of the Community Development Committee held off on rule changes that would allow RVs to be parked on residential roads as long as they are at least one meter away from curbs and sidewalks. It also doesn't make the line of sight problem in the corner.

Under the proposed new rules, people who store RVs can do so between May 15 and September 15.

Currently, Calgarians can park their RV in their front driveway or on the street in front of their owners' property for 36 hours year-round. The new regulations prohibit RV parking during other seasons unless loading or unloading is in progress.

According to the city, they receive about 300 RV parking complaints each year. Currently, enforcement of RV parking regulations is complaint-based. About 20 percent of Calgarians own recreational vehicles, according to the city.

“There's not a lot of complaints about the current rules, and there's not a lot of … support or opposition,” said Greg Patrick, business strategist for the City of Calgary.

3rd district. According to Jasmine Mian, the current rules are restrictive and these new rules could have struck a better balance. Additionally, he said, it offers an affordability aspect that cannot be achieved under property taxes.

“If we allow some flexibility in the rules, we could save hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars for some people, just by changing this rule,” he said.

“When you think about how much more work has to be done to try to lower taxes so that people can get the same value, I don't think you can really compare the two.”

Impact on New Communities: Con. Demong

14th District. According to Peter Demong, allowing more long-term RV occupancy in “postage stamp” driveways has been a recipe for increased neighborhood conflict.

Old communities have two or three meters between entrances. Demong said it allows more space for safety and visibility. In new communities, it's two to three feet.

“You're going to start letting these RVs sit all summer long, and that's our main concern going forward,” Kuhn said. Demong said.

“I think it basically smacks the bear of neighbor-to-neighbor conflict, which we as a council see ourselves as doing to Calgarians.”

1st district. Sonia Sharp said she did not know what the amendments to the law would mean.

“I have not heard any demands from my constituents and Calgarians in general for these changes,” he said.

“So I think what we've seen in the last year, even the support on the council, has been very lukewarm.”

Questions about the growing number of complaints and enforcement issues were also difficult for some council members.

Ward 10 Andre Chabot said he has had many complaints about too many RVs parking in front of homes in the neighborhood. He said he would be inclined to support him from a self-serving perspective.

“I'm not sure we should go that far,” he said.

Although the item failed, it was sent to Calgary City Council as a failed proposal. It could have been reversed and approved at that time.