More eviction notices posted at harbor RV parks

More eviction notices have been served on RV owners within the Crescent City Harbor District, this time not just for failing to pay rent, but to “problem tenants” as well.

“Two of the notices went out to people we know have been dealing drugs,” said Tim Petrick, CEO/harbormaster of the district.

The most recent wave of 60-day eviction notices totaled 15, with 13 of those residing at Redwood Harbor Village and the other two at Bayside RV Park. The tenants have until Feb. 8 to leave the premises.

Two RV users also received eviction notices nearly two months ago after failing to pay rent, and have until Dec. 27 to leave.

Between the two parks, there are 242 spaces for RVs, and according to Petrick about 100 of those are currently occupied by tenancies that have exceeded 30 days.

The district is not zoned to allow for stays over 30 days, but some of the tenants were grandfathered in because zoning wasn’t actively enforced.

That may change.

On Dec. 16, the Board of Harbor Commissioners updated and approved its first two articles of an ordinance code that included the 30 day or less zoning restriction.

“The Coastal Commission will also be mandating how long visitors can have access to the coastline, at either their next meeting or the one after that,” Petrick said.

Petrick added that he understands criticism from some members of the community that the RV parks have not traditionally been at full capacity and users should be allowed to stay longer, but said he believes it’s time to enforce the restriction.

“Year-round tourism is ramping up, it doesn’t drop like it used to,” he said. “The heart of the harbor is commercial fishing, and tourists love to see that. We need to create a public interface between the two.”