As momentum builds for an ordinance that would ban recreational vehicles, boats and trailers from parking on public streets from 2 to 6 a.m., District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer said he would urge his colleagues to refrain from applying the ban citywide when the matter comes before the council in a month or so. Faulconer, who for years has championed an oversize-vehicle ordinance, said he remains steadfast in his support of a two-year pilot boundary that would mostly apply to the Midway District-Sports Arena area, beaches and other areas west of Interstate 5. Earlier this month, Faulconer, who has been actively making rounds at local community group meetings, said his fellow councilmembers remain concerned about homeless people in RVs heading inland during the pilot period. “My colleagues are concerned that if we do such a good job west of [I-]5, it’ll inundate their neighborhoods,” Faulconer said March 20 at the monthly meeting of the North Bay Community Planning Group. “I can see how people would think that. It’s like a balloon when you push on it. If there are crazy, unintended consequences in three or four months, we’ll revisit it. But let’s try to get it out of the gate in a confined area that makes sense.” San Diego is one of the few cities in the county without such an ordinance, Faulconer said. “We bear the brunt because of that, particularly the beach areas. As the summer season approaches, we want to make sure we have that tool,” he said. A push for an ordinance five years ago was tabled because of budgetary reasons, Faulconer said. Last week, the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee approved advancing the ordinance to the full City Council. A date has not been set. Among the highlights of the proposal, still in draft form, known officially as the Neighborhood Parking Protection Ordinance:
- No parking between 2 and 6 a.m. on public streets; 24-hour ban within 50 feet of an intersection. Fine: $100
- Two-year pilot boundary: west of Interstate 5, north of West Laurel Street and San Diego Bay; plus a Morena-Bay Park-South Clairemont area east of l-5, south of Balboa Avenue and west of Tecolote Canyon
- Would apply to vehicles more than 7 feet high or 27 feet long
- Exceptions made for vehicles with handicapped placards, school buses, commercial loading zones and delivering merchandise
- Street-parking permits in the block of the owner would be available for sale for a period up to 72 hours
In other planning group news Victor Ravago, general manager of the Hampton Inn, has become the board’s newest member by appointment. Ravago replaces Mike Drogin, who stepped down after citing upcoming projects that require him to be out of town. Drogin is also one of four members who has recently run afoul of a San Diego City Council policy that requires the removal of a board member for excessive absences and does not recognize excused absences. North Bay planners have denounced the rule because the planning area has little residential area, and must therefore rely on business members who often need to travel.
