City staff will look at the viability of more formally allowing RV living in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

housing discussions

City staff asked to investigate easing RV living rules in Nanaimo

Jun 1, 2021 | 5:37 AM

NANAIMO — City staff will look at options to potentially expand recreational vehicles as permanent places to call home.

A motion tabled by coun. Zeni Maartman asking for a staff report with options was approved by council at a governance and priorities committee meeting on Monday, May 31.

Currently, RV’s can legally only be a temporary living solution with the exception of three specifically zoned areas within the city.

Director of development approvals Jeremy Holm told the committee granting campers, fifth wheels and motor homes with expanded full time living status in residential areas could be problematic.

“RV parks and campgrounds provide appropriate amenities, they provide for servicing and open space for recreational vehicles that generally wouldn’t be well accommodated in residential areas.”

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RV’s illegally serving as permanent residences in Nanaimo occasionally leads to complaints, but Holm said they are constantly moved around Nanaimo and don’t appear to be concentrated in one specific area.

Coun. Don Bonner suggested residential lots as suitable venues for full time RV living if supportive infrastructure is in place.

“I would want to see a proper foundation, proper sewer connections, just like we have already at many of these mobile home parks where you could just drive in your RV, plug it in and you’re good to go for weeks,” Bonner said, who referenced he once lived in an RV for six to eight months.

Allowing RV’s in mobile home parks and residential areas are listed recommended action items in the City’s affordable housing strategy.

Dale Lindsay, general manager of development services, told the committee a new mobile park hasn’t been built in Nanaimo in roughly 25 years. He said rising local land values in Nanaimo is putting a strain on that housing option.

“We’ve lost that opportunity for what’s really been seen historically as an affordable home option is mobile home parks,” Lindsay said. “We always hear concerns about even the loss of the ones we have existing in the community and what that would mean for residents.”

Expanding locations where RV’s could be established as permanent residences would require zoning amendments, a public hearing and council support, Lindsay said.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes