ITEM TITLE:
Discussion Item: Proposed Resolution to Accompany Amended VMC Chapter 10.20 Related to Recreational Vehicle Parks and Tent Camping
SUBMITTED BY: Nathan Duval, City Manager
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback on proposes resolution language
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The attached draft resolution outlines proposed guardrails for the existing City Manager overnight parking & camping permit in VMC 10.20. This permit has existed in Code for a long time but no such document or process has existed prior to 2024. With the increase of overnight camping and “boondocking” the attached draft resolution attempts to address potential parameters of how and where a permit may be issued.
Staff met with RV park owners to hear their concerns and proposed ideas. Staff has also received comments from individuals in favor of allowing boondocking.
Highlights of the resolution include:
• Identifying areas where overnight parking and camping are permitted
o Airport
o Gold Fields
o Glacier Lake Rec Area
o South Boat Harbor
o HHES & VHS; for school approved events with concurrence from District Administration
• To automatically be reviewed in the event 100 permits are issued in a year
• Signage at other popular locations where activity is not permitted
The draft resolution does not include language regarding a fee, this could be added if desired by Council.
Neither the ordinance nor the resolution regulate the activity on state or federal property.
The City will generate signage with a QR code directing individuals to the landing page on the City website listing campgrounds and RV parks with business licenses in Valdez as well as the online permit application.
The City Manager will be available to answer questions on the administration of the permit and other scenarios that aren’t defined in the resolution.