North Palm suspends enforcing its boat, RV storage ordinance
Citizens’ panel to revisit ordinance, suggest changes.
NORTH PALM BEACH — After hearing from residents last week at a packed council meeting, the Village Council decided to suspend enforcement of a controversial ordinance related to the storage of boats and recreational vehicles in residential neighborhoods.
About 70 people showed up to Thursday’s regular council meeting, with 12 pleading their case that the village’s boat and RV ordinance is too restrictive.
The ordinance requires boats and RVs to be visually screened from view and properly licensed when stored on residential properties.
It has been on the books for many years, village spokesperson Ed Cunningham said, and revisions were made in 2016 following a series of public workshops.
Enforcement of the ordinance was delayed until this summer, with the council opting to wait until a new village manager was hired. Council members also wanted more input from citizen groups.
“There has been discussion about the subject for years, with many village residents asking for more effective enforcement of the long-standing requirement to screen boats and RVs,” Cunningham said. “The issue has been discussed extensively at council meetings, with citizen advisory groups and by personal contact.”
Residents were warned beginning last fall about stricter enforcement of the village’s boat and RV ordinance, and code compliance officers began issuing notices for violations in July. They also left informational sheets and courtesy notices for residents.
As of Friday, officers had issued 56 formal violations and also gave out 355 informational sheets and 177 courtesy notices, Cunningham said. The village hasn’t tracked how much of an increase those numbers represent, he added.
Cunningham noted there are 120 boats that are properly registered in the village, and many more that are not.
During Thursday’s meeting, the council agreed to suspend all enforcement activities and fine accruals. It also asked village staff to conduct a survey of residents regarding their opinions about the ordinance, and to convene a citizen committee to revisit the provisions in the ordinance and suggest changes.
The council hopes to complete the work in about six months, Mayor David Norris said, though that time frame is flexible.
The decision to suspend enforcement of the ordinance while changes are being considered reflects the council’s commitment to developing a regulation that will balance commu- nity interests, Village Manager Andy Lukasik said.
Norris hopes for a workable compromise after years of discussion, but he doesn’t expect all residents will agree with the final revisions.
“You’re going to have people who don’t want any regulation, and there’s going to be regulation,” he said. “Somebody’s probably not going to be happy.
“The last time we thought that we made most people satisfied — maybe not happy, but satisfied — that everybody was heard. All the issues were discussed, and we came up with what appeared to be the best that it could be, which is what our goal is.”