Jackson looking at changing rules regarding what you can park on the street

Recreational vehicles parked on Jackson city streets could become a thing of the past, if city officials accept a proposed ordinance.

But before they take any action, officials are seeking public input at the April 2 meeting of the board of aldermen.

The ordinance, proposed by Alderman Larry Cunningham, would ban parking recreational vehicles on the streets.

That�s any unit or motor vehicle designed for recreational purposes, not just motor homes, according to the proposed ordinance.

Jackson�s city code defines a recreational vehicle as �any unit or motor vehicle designed for recreation, living, or sleeping purposes permanently equipped with wheels or placed on a wheeled device for the purpose of transporting from one place to another,� according to a news release from administrative services director Rodney Bollinger.

That would include camping trailers, campers, motor homes, jet skis and boats, among others, the release stated.

�Recreational vehicle parking has not been a big issue in Jackson as most citizens park their recreational vehicles in their driveways, on their property or at other locations,� Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs said in an email. �Occasionally, we have had citizens concerned with recreational vehicles parked on the street blocking the site view or the ease of passage on the street.�

To that end, he wrote, this proposed ordinance would allow easier monitoring and restriction of recreational-vehicle parking, when necessary.

Furthermore, Hahs wrote, �The Board of Aldermen wanted to assure citizens had the ability to express their views and any concerns about this ordinance language change before taking any action.�

The Jackson city ordinances do not prohibit parking recreational vehicles on the streets at present, but do set a maximum time limit of 72 consecutive hours for any vehicle to be parked in one spot.

Unlicensed vehicles may not be parked on city streets, and parking vehicles for storage or repair also is prohibited by current city ordinance.

At the March 5 study session of the board of aldermen regular meeting, city attorney Tom Ludwig said a resident had a recreational vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood, and would move the vehicle about 3 feet every 48 hours to comply with the letter of the law.

At the meeting, Cunningham said this individual was getting around the current ordinance, and called it �a shame.�

The change would apply only to vehicles used for recreation, Ludwig said.

�It does not apply to construction trailers. They�re specifically excluded,� Ludwig said at the March 5 meeting.

Cunningham said there was no hurry to change the ordinance, adding, �We want to do this right.�

Public input by any resident is welcome at the April 2 board of aldermen meeting, held at 6 p.m. at city hall, 101 Court St. in Jackson.

The board plans to decide on the issue April 16, according to the release.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, Mo.