Survey lets Seminole folks weigh in on boat, RV parking

SEMINOLE — While voters have been focused on deciding which candidates to support, some homeowners in this city have been casting a completely different type of ballot.

The ballot, actually a survey that's being treated as a kind of vote, is giving those homeowners a chance to weigh in on the issue of boat and RV parking in residential neighborhoods. The surveys let Seminole officials get people's thoughts before considering a possible change to city rules.

"They really would like to have a reaction from the public before (council members) develop anything or decide not to do anything," Seminole City Manager Frank Edmunds said.

Because the questions have been asked of candidates for several years, Edmunds said officials assumed there is "some interest" from homeowners in having some restrictions on the parking of boats, trailers and RVs in residential neighborhoods."Where it goes from there is the big question," Edmunds said.

Seminole has few restrictions on the parking of boats, RVs and cars on residential streets or in yards. But Edmunds said over the course of time, council members on the campaign trail have heard complaints about those lax rules. After last March's election, the council decided to poll owners of single-family residences who would be the most affected by any changes.

Those surveys — 4,005 of them — went out early this month and were due back by Friday. Rather than counting them as they came in, city staff members created a sealed "ballot box" and stuffed the surveys in as they were returned.

The box was unsealed Friday, and the surveys were stacked on a table. Mark Ely, head of the city's development department, said it was unclear how many there were or how long it would take Seminole City Clerk Lesley DeMuth to count them, tally the answers to each of the three questions and tabulate them according to subdivision.

Ely said the public is welcome to come watch the tallying as it happens so residents can be sure there's no miscount. After the tabulation, the surveys will be available for public study.

The information, Ely said, will be used to build a database, which will then be taken to the council at a workshop, probably in November or December. At that time, council members also will have a chance to see what rules Pinellas County and the cities of Largo and Pinellas Park have as a way of comparing how the issue is handled elsewhere. (See box.)

>>FAST FACTS

Parking in the 'hood

Recreational vehicles

Seminole: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveways.

Pinellas County: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveways. Cannot exceed 35 feet in length or 8 feet in width.

Largo: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. Must be behind the front setback and cannot block the sidewalk.

Pinellas Park: Only one allowed per lot. Must be tagged and operable. Can be placed only in front yard. Cannot block sidewalk.

Boats

Seminole: No limit on number. Must be kept on trailer that has a current tag. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveway.

Pinellas County: No limit on number. Must be kept on trailer that has a current tag. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveway.

Largo: No limit on number. No requirement to be on trailer. Must be behind the front setback. Cannot block sidewalk.

Pinellas Park: Only one allowed per lot. No requirement to be on trailer. Can be placed only in front yard. Cannot block sidewalk.

Passenger vehicle parking on lawn

Seminole: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveway. No limit on length. Cannot be a commercial vehicle.

Pinellas County: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveways. Cannot be longer than 21 feet. Cannot be a commercial vehicle.

Largo: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveways. Cannot be longer than 17 feet. Cannot be a commercial vehicle.

Pinellas Park: No limit on number. Must be tagged and operable. No limit on placement except cannot block sidewalk or block adjacent neighbors from being able to safely enter or exit their driveways. No limit on length. Cannot be a commercial vehicle.

Source: City of Seminole