The Camping, Recreational Accomodation Provisions Bylaw received first reading at the District of Lakeland's November meeting. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Lake Country Life

District of Lakeland discusses change to camper bylaw

Nov 21, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A bylaw change that will provide rate payers with more flexibilty with respect to family visits during the spring and summer months, is being discussed by the District of Lakeland council.

The proposed change will essentially allow property owners to have an occupied camper on their property. Reeve Walter Plessl explained to paNOW it’s all about eliminating the little things that don’t allow families to be together.

“Nobody is going to be living in these things, and you can’t have one unless you have a building there already and it’s only during specific times of the year. Basically May to October,” he said.

According to the current bylaw, rate payers can store a camper on their property, but they can’t occupy them, as occupied campers are only allowed in campgrounds.

“For instance if your grand kids come or your family members want to spend a night or two in grandpa’s trailer, our bylaw today says they can’t do that,” Plessl said.

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Under the terms of the bylaw change, the campers cannot be untidy or unsightly condition, and the municipality would ultimately reserve the right to have the camper removed from the property.

The bylaw change also allow for up to two occupied trailers on a property, one for the owner and the other can be there for up to 30 days. The owner of the lot would be responsible for getting a permit from the municipality.

One of council’s big reasons for the proposed bylaw has to do with the need in recent months to respect social distancing. Plessl, who has children in Alberta, said the district needs to be more forward thinking for families.

“Say my oldest boy comes and he’s coming with his trailer, he can spend two or three days at mom and dad’s without breaking any rules,” he said.

Before the bylaw can pass third reading, a public meeting is required. Administrator Tammy Knuttila told paNOW staff are currently discussing ways to do that, while also respecting current provincial health protocol related to COVID-19.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell