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8.A. - Page 6 of 45 • Failure by some RV residents to use authorized gray and black water disposal sites, with the potential for dumping of contaminated water on City streets and storm drains • The occurrence of some infractions, criminal activity and drug/alcohol abuse in areas where RVs are parked, leading to public safety and health concerns Business owners, residents and most people living in RVs agree that individuals who are unwilling to adhere to the rules and regulations of the City's Safe RV Parking Program, should be removed from participating in the City's Safe RV Parking programs. Other Issues/Concerns Raised at Community Meetings Perhaps the biggest, overarching issue raised at community meetings is the challenge of finding sufficient permanent housing for those living in RVs and homeless encampments, and in overcrowded and sub- standard living situations. The issue was likened to a funnel with a mouth that continues to expand and a spigot that is staying the same size or even shrinking. Other issues/concerns that were expressed include: • Specific impacts from the RVs parked in the Oddstad Business District: loss of parking; garbage on the street and sidewalks; confrontations between RV residents and customers and employees; theft, burglary and drug use; and loss of customers, business and resulting loss of revenues • Business owners specifically requested that the City reinstate a two-hour street parking time limit for Oddstad street to facilitate business traffic • In the Centennial neighborhood, residents understand that: there is a lack of affordable housing; there is a job/housing imbalance; living in an RV/motorhome is what is affordable for some; and many people would not be living in an RV/motorhome in their neighborhood if there were more affordable housing options • The majority of Centennial neighborhood meeting attendees feel that RV/motorhome residents should have a safe place to park and all are concerned about health and safety related issues including: the proliferation of garbage, trash and human waste; improper dumping of waste water; public safety; and traffic safety • RV residents acknowledge that there are some "bad actors" who are dumping garbage and wastewater illegally and causing problems; however, the majority try to be good community members, to minimize their impact and to obey rules and regulations • Some RV residents have experienced multiple parking enforcement efforts within a few hours of the same day; there seem to be some coordination problems when an RV has already been cited • RV residents noted that they can dump gray and black waste water at the Trailer Villa RV Park in Redwood City; however, operational hours are only 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. including weekends, which poses a challenge for those who are working during the day and late into the evenings • The Covid-19 pandemic may exacerbate the incidence of RV residency, due to the sharp increase in unemployment caused by the temporary and possibly permanent closure of businesses and the potential rise in homelessness as individuals lose their ability to pay rent or mortgages, resulting in evictions and home foreclosures • There are some RV residents who reside in the City only during the week while they work in the area and return to a home outside of the area on the weekend; however, the vast majority of households are living in their RV every night, many for over a year. Most consider living in their RV as a temporary situation • Some RV residents may not desire to move into permanent housing Page 6 of 14 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 396