News Photo by Crystal Nelson The “Lakeview lot” properties, seen here on Thursday on Lakeview Avenue, between State and Linden streets, were included in the Rogers City Planning Commission’s discussion of whether recreational vehicle parks are appropriate in the city’s residential neighborhoods.

ROGERS CITY — The Rogers City Planning Commission on Thursday reached a consensus that it would like to see recreational parks in the city, just not in the residential neighborhoods.

Instead, commissioners said such parks would be more appropriate along the city’s U.S.-23 corridor, where there is more acreage and access to the highway.

The Planning Commission reviewed all of the property within the city that is currently zoned to allow an RV park or campground so it could determine whether the city’s existing zoning remains appropriate. City officials identified 14 sites within city limits where RV parks could be built.

City officials said in July they had received three offers to purchase properties known as “the Lakeview lots,” which are made up of five individual lots located on Lakeview Avenue between State and Linden streets in a residential neighborhood. Those properties are zoned in a way that would allow an RV park to be built there, but commissioners said they may want to change that because they are in the inner portions of the city.

No formal action was taken Thursday.

Residents who lived across the street from the lots in July voiced concern about the possibility of an RV park in their neighborhood. The residents asked the City Council to rezone the property to residential so they could purchase the properties.

In September, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to look at the zoning of all of the city’s mixed family residential and waterfront properties to make sure they are zoned appropriately.

City Manager Joe Hefele on Thursday said the topic of RV parks has come up multiple times, even before he was city manager. He said someone will approach the city about an RV park, then the neighborhood comes before the council to oppose it. He said the city’s involvement has always been reactionary.

“I think council’s thought was, instead of reacting to these things, it would be better to take a look at where they are allowed and determine whether those are good spots or whether the Planning Commission is supportive of rezoning them to something other than (multi-family residential) before somebody does purchase it,” he said.

Commissioner Chuck Vogelheim said a lot of the property that could allow an RV park in the residential neighborhoods aren’t big enough to be profitable. He said RV parks are usually a minimum of 20 to 40 acres.

“I don’t know where we would even consider an RV park within the city limits — the inner part of the city,” he said, although he said there were a few locations toward the outskirts of the city where an RV park could be allowable.

Councilman Dick Adair said he agreed.

Commissioner Dave Walters, who said he owns an RV, said he understood why residents didn’t want an RV park across from their home. He also said an RV park on the outskirts of town could be “a great thing” if someone was interested.

“We’re all so happy The Brook is coming in,” he said, referring to a senior living facility under construction in the city. “If we could find an RV version of The Brook, lets get them in, find a place for them.”

Zoning Administrator Toby Kuznicki said that, based on feedback from the Planning Commission, city officials could pursue multiple steps, such as changing the requirements needed for a piece of property to allow an RV park or rezoning the properties.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.