Perhaps a resident of Coombs who is OK with parking boats, motorhomes and trailers on residential properties should take a drive around Parksville and see the difference of a unit, up to 40 feet in length, parked on a residential lot versus the same unit parked on a rural setting in Coombs.
It’s like comparing apples and oranges. While driving around, take note of the units parked at the extreme front of the property. There simply isn’t room on a 50 or 55-foot lot to park a 40-foot motorhome or trailer without it being an unsightly picture.
Many of us in the urban setting are becoming concerned about this and what it is doing to overall real-estate values. There is concern about listing one’s house for sale and it being next door to a property where there is an RV and a boat parked in the front yard. Unless you are a boater or RVer, that is a turn-off for most property purchasers.
I do agree that we live on an island and boats are a part of many of the resident’s lives, and many own an RV as well. But that does not give them carte blanche to turn the neighbourhood into a massive parking lot. That is what the storage facilities are for. Use them. The majority of residents do not have boats and trailers and that should be respected. Many of these are parked in violation of the city’s bylaws. It is an issue that seems to be growing and one that city council is going to have to address. However, council seems to be unwilling to act.
Most of us take pride in our properties and it takes time and money to keep them that way. How about helping us in that regard?
Richard Pacanowski
Parksville