The Kenton County Planning Commission voted against recommending proposed regulations governing the storage and parking of utility trailers in Independence at their meeting Thursday night.
The move follows a vote in November to table regulatory proposals the Independence City Council had previously presented to the commission. The city council can now, if they so choose, vote to override the commission’s recommendation.
Megan Bessey, a planning commission project manager who evaluated the proposal for the commission members, reaffirmed her assessment from November that the proposed regulations did not conform with the residential character of Independence neighborhoods.
“Really, I don’t think it is appropriate at all,” said Commission Chair Brian Dunham.
Discussions on a revised trailer ordinance date back to January 2023, although the city first began regulating trailers in the 2000s. As it stands, city law does not allow people to park boats, campers and other large trailers on public streets. On the other hand, residents can store flatbed utility trailers in a side yard if the owners obtain a conditional use permit. People can also park their flatbeds in their front yards and on public streets for a maximum of 72 hours without a permit.
Revisions have taken various forms over the past year or so, and the council added new dimensions to their proposed ordinance in December, namely weight and height limits for trailers and other hauled vehicles, 18,000 pounds and 39 feet, respectively. The new proposals also extend the amount of time someone can park their trailer from 72 to 96 hours.
The commission’s vote was not surprising. Independence City Administrator Chris Moriconi, who was at Thursday’s commission meeting, stated in December that he expected the commission would recommend against the proposal, even though he and city council members had been meeting with commission staff in effort to furnish an ordinance that was more enforceable.
Many of the commissioners expressed dismay at the proposal’s length allowance.
“39 feet,” said Commissioner Gailen Bridges. “Once you open the door, you’ll never get this genie back in the bottle. If you start allowing utility trailers, and they start proliferating every year” it may be harder to regulate them in the future, he said.
“We’re a recommending body,” said Commissioner Greg Sketch.”It’s going to be up to the City Council of Independence.”
The council can override the commission’s recommendation with at least four votes in favor.
Read the full revised ordinance and other documentation related to the proposed regulations here.
The next meeting of the Kenton County Planning Commission will take place on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6:15 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center on Simon Kenton Way.
The Independence City Council will meet on Monday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Independence City Building on Madison Pike.