“Whatever we can do to get the boats off the street…I mean, some of these people are storing them in town all winter” – Vice Mayor Chris Bannon.
While winter parking may not be an issue, the amount of space taken up by boat trailers in the peak season is causing concern for Town Council. Vice Mayor Chris Bannon has on several occasions voiced concern about people using the town streets as free parking for boats that almost never see the water. Council has been fielding increasing numbers of complaints regarding boats and RVs parked on the street for extended periods of time.
A resident told the Mirror, “I can’t even park in front of my house any more. There are three large boats parked right in front, and they never move…they are taking up several hundred feet of parking.”
In the past, the town had an ordinance that limited boat parking in town, however since the roads are VDOT’s purview, council voted to rescind it several years ago.
At the last Town Council Regular meeting, Vice Mayor Bannon instructed staff to once again investigate an ordinance that will get the boats off the street once and for all.
Most cities require boats to be stored off-street and to be sight screened, meaning parked to the side of or behind a residence. Some allow temporary on-street parking of a short duration for cleaning and unloading. In Virginia Beach, no recreational equipment (boats or RVs) shall be in any public street or public right-of-way for more than three hours. They must be parked off the street and covered, preferably in a shed or garage.
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I agree with the Vice Mayor.
Boat,RV and utility trailer owners should not be allowed to use the Cape Charles city streets as a place to park for extended periods; limits to be established by City Council with an enforceable ordinance with significant fines for violations.
Thanks.
Why the Hell not?
Please include the shipping and storage containers that are allowed on the street in front of homes that have a current building permit displayed even if no work has been done on the home for years. Boats, RV’s and storage containers are an issue whose time has come.
Several hundred feet with three boats! I have to see these monstrosities, what street?
I was thinking the same thing.
Mr. Bannon was a council member in 2012 when it was explained that although the town can regulate parking on VDOT roads, it has no control over what KIND of parking to allow. A boat trailer is a licensed vehicle and as such enjoys the same right as other licensed vehicles. For example, Mr. Bannon has kept an antique truck parked on the street for many years, taking up space. It is his right to do so. The former police chief and council member has kept his boat and trailer on the street for many years as well. It is his right to do so. Same goes for the assistant town manager. The town could limit parking in many ways, such as no overnight parking or no parking for more than three days. But the regulation would have to apply to motor vehicles as well as any other vehicle. Read the 2012 report in the Cape Charles Wave for more details: http://capecharleswave.com/2012/09/town-council-casts-away-boat-parking-issue/#more-2222. As reported there, the only action the town could take would be to request the General Assembly to pass a bill modifying the State code.
Also for clarification, regarding the article’s report that “most cities require boats to be stored off-street,” the operative word is “cities,” which in Virginia have control over their city streets. Cape Charles, being a town, does not have the same degree of control. As noted, the town can regulate parking, but cannot differentiate between which vehicles are allowed and which are not allowed to park.
We have three well equipped Marine Storage facilities in Cape Charles and perhaps a fourth in the future . If you cant afford to pay for a slip or on land storage then you cant afford a Boat simple . It is Both a Danger to Motorists and the public at large . . NO Other Town in Virginia allows parking on the street.It Looks like slum We also Need to look at Car & Trailer parking
It was already supposed to be in the town ordinance banning boats from being parked on the street. But obviously and clearly cape charles “town council” feels they can change the ordinance whenever and however they choose. I call for the town council and police chief to turn in their resignations immediately.
Have we forgotten there is a storage lot over at the town harbor marina just for this reason. If you can’t afford $15.00 a month, then you can’t afford a boat.I agree, boats and trailers should not be allowed to be stored on the streets.
I agree with the Vice Mayor; law needs to change to benefit the town.