New parking restrictions for boats, RVs in Buffalo Grove

Buffalo Grove will soon impose more restrictive parking regulations for recreational vehicles and boats in residential areas.

The new rules, passed this week, will go into effect in June. But already the village is starting to get some pushback, such as on the kinds of vehicles included in the regulations.

The definition of recreational vehicle includes vehicles or trailers for recreational or noncommercial uses that can be driven, towed, sailed or hauled. That means it applies to boats and personal watercraft, as well as campers and trailers.

The regulations limit front-yard storage to 10 days a year for loading, unloading, cleaning and maintenance. It also places a cap on size, limiting stored vehicles to 30 feet long, 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

Vehicles are not allowed to encroach on the sidewalk and must be parked on a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt. If parked in the rear yard, they must be screened with fencing or landscaping that is a minimum of 5 feet tall.

Residents questioned the inclusion of boats and Jet Skis in the measure.

"I'm wondering why the ordinance is so broad," said resident Sue Wiebe, a boat owner who told trustees she's been storing boats and personal watercraft on her property for more than 30 years.

"My boat might be there more than 10 days, because I can't go boating every weekend," she added.

Two village board members, Trustees Andrew Stein and David Weidenfeld, voted against the measure, with Stein voicing concerns about its scope.

"I got to say that the older sections of our town are going to be disproportionately affected, because they don't have lot sizes big enough to be able to store something like a Jet Ski or like a snowmobile that might be on a small trailer on their driveway," Stein said.

However, village officials said residents can seek exceptions to the rules through the planning and zoning commission.

The changes are a response to resident complaints about neighbors storing large recreational vehicles in their front and side yards, Community Development Director Christopher Stilling said. Three or four residents came forward with concerns about "school bus"-type RVs or multiple RVs being stored, particularly in side yards, he said.

Issues also have emerged regarding inoperable storage trailers stored for more than 20 years on residential properties.

The village surveyed the Northwest Municipal Conference to see how RVs are regulated in neighboring communities, and the village's planning and zoning commission examined the issue before forwarding it to the village board.

"I think this is a great idea," said Trustee Eric Smith, who voted in the majority. "I think we should make it as strict as possible."

Trustee Joanne Johnson agreed, saying she's heard of stored vehicles that haven't moved in three decades.

"I think this is a wise move," she said. "There are people that just use their driveways as permanent storage rather than trying to find room in their homes or pay for storage elsewhere."