Buellton resident Roger Ayala was left without a choice. After a city letter informed him earlier this year that a new addition to an old city ordinance would make it illegal for him to park his ’92 Winnebago Sunrise Itasca in his driveway, he thought he’d have to sell it.
Without affordable storage options available in Buellton, Ayala was troubled at the thought of parting with a vehicle that provided his family with numerous adventures and countless memories.
“Now the city is telling me what I can and can’t do?” Ayala asked. “I have a driveway. Why should I take my RV somewhere else?”
Ayala’s feelings echoed those of many Buellton residents, and after angry letters, a petition, and a heated public meeting on July 27, Buellton’s City Council agreed to reconsider recent amendments to its ordinance banning recreational vehicles from being parked on residential lawns, driveways, and streets.
The original ordinance was drafted and passed nearly 10 years ago, according to Buellton City Manager Marc Bierdzinski.
Until recently, citizens of Buellton—unlike residents of many California cities, including Santa Barbara and Solvang—were able to park RVs, boats, and trailers almost anywhere on private residential property. But after several complaints of vehicles blocking sidewalks and views, the Buellton City Council passed a series of amendments on Feb. 9, 2017, making parking on residential property more restricted.
The amendments stated that boats, RVs, and trailers must be parked in enclosed structures in back or side yards only. The revamped ordinance allows only two recreational vehicles to be parked outside of any one residence—and only if they are surrounded by a 6-foot wall or fence. It also said vehicles stored outside must be parked on concrete or gravel.
While residents are allowed to use front driveways for temporary parking, vehicles cannot hang over the public sidewalk.
Buellton citizens affected by the ordinance received letters warning them of the upcoming changes earlier this year, according to Bierdzinski. They were given six months to comply with the city’s newest restrictions.
As word spread, outrage grew. Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra said rumors about why these amendments were made have been drifting around since earlier this year. Some people think the amendments were triggered by a complaint from one of Sierra’s friends.
The “friend” in question is Barbara Knecht, the city’s recreation coordinator, Sierra said, adding that Knecht was just one of several residents who complained about unsafe parking at a public hearing in January.
“I do know Barb Knecht. We are friendly, but I don’t know that you would call us friends. We don’t go to each other’s houses” Sierra said. “[City Council] would never do anything like this for one person.”
At the January hearing, Sierra said the council heard several complaints of RVs, boats, and trailers blocking street views and sidewalks, while very few people spoke against the proposed amendments. Community members in opposition said they weren’t informed of the public hearing. Sierra said an improperly parked vehicle is a threat to safety, as well as an issue of aesthetics.
“One lady came in in tears because she couldn’t see the beautiful mountains, now she can only see RVs,” Sierra said. “It’s just that these toys are getting bigger and bigger and some of these yards can’t accommodate those.”
Another popular theory, Sierra said, is that the city has no right to control what people can park on private property. There have even been threats of a class action suit against the city.
“We do have a federal and state right to pass ordinances for safety and aesthetic purposes,” Sierra said. “We do have a right to do it, and we are taking this very seriously. But a lot of people chose Buellton because of our lack of ordinances. I get that. I do get that.”
That’s why Sierra said the City Council is taking time to retool the ordinance.
The council has discussed several possibilities, Sierra said, including a grandfathering system or a city program that would help residents fund storage. Still, Sierra said the closest available storage location is in Lompoc, which is less than ideal. The City Council has even toyed with the idea of building the city’s own storage yard for RVs, boats, and trailers, where people could possibly park for free.
Sierra said the issue should return to the City Council before October.
“We truly appreciate people coming out and letting us know how they feel,” Sierra said. “It’s still something we have to discuss and figure out how to handle.”
Many Buellton residents, including artist and local businessman Larry Rankin, still feel the ordinance infringes upon their property rights.
“I personally left my home in Santa Barbara and bought here in Buellton so I wouldn’t have to deal with people telling me what to do with my own property,” Rankin said. “Now this ordinance is dictating to me what I can do with my own property.”
Although the ordinance doesn’t affect Rankin, he said it could force many of his neighbors to sell their recreational vehicles. Many residents, like Ayala, don’t have backyards to store their vehicles, driveways large enough to comply with the newest amendments, or money for a storage unit.
“They’re making it so abusive,” Rankin said, “and taking money out of people’s pockets who can’t afford it.”
Rankin said nearly 50 like-minded residents signed a petition against the ordinance. He also wrote several letters to City Council and local newspapers while gathering angry community members to speak at the July 27 meeting.
Thirteen residents spoke out against the ordinance at that meeting, according to City Council meeting minutes, and only two spoke in favor of it.
The meeting ended with the City Council’s decision to rework the ordinance’s amendments, a process that will include a city staff survey of more than 65 affected Buellton properties and a loosening of some of the ordinance’s most restrictive specifics. In the mean time, enforcement of the ordinance will be delayed.
“I’m happy but I’m not happy,” Rankin said. “At least I know I’ve accomplished something. But I don’t know what they’ll do when they revisit it.”
Reach Staff Writer Kasey Bubnash at kbubnash@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 24-31, 2017.
