BAKKEN BREAKOUT WEEKLY


BAKKEN NEWS


Thursday, May 3, 2012n Page 5 Williston delays ban on campers


Commission to seek comments on proposal


siding in RVs in the oil boom town of Williston have been given a temporary reprieve. City commissioners delayed a de-


cision on a proposed RV ban, after an overflow crowd opposed it at a meeting on April 24. Many opponents, including Shan-


non Michels, who was representing Kum & Go convenience stores, told commissioners the city will lose its workforce if the ban is approved. Sev- enty-three percent of her employees live in campers because they can’t af- ford $2,500 for rent, she said. The housing problem is prevalent


WILLISTON (AP) — People re-


campers, we’ll have to shut our doors,” Michels said. “We have no place to put them.” Commissioners decided to give


people 30 days to submit comments on a proposal that would make it illegal to live in a camper that is not part of an RV park. Mayor Ward Koeser asked for a


show of hands from the audience to gauge their stance on the ban, and most raised their hands to oppose it. Commissioners heard public com-


ments for 45 minutes, with two people speaking in favor of the ban. Williston resident Melissa Meyer said she lives in a single-family home that is surround- ed by RVs and junk cars, including a house across the street that has become a man camp. Meyer said she’s afraid to let her children play in the yard. An apartment building manager


throughout western North Dakota, where some communities have banned temporary oil-worker housing.


said she has to call police to chase RVs off the property. The police department receives


about five complaints per day and commissioners are trying to balance


“If they make it so we can’t have


the needs of the long-term residents with the newcomers, Koeser said. Police Chief James Lokken said po-


lice cited an RV resident on April 24 for dumping sewage on the ground in a residential area. Police also take com- plaints about noise and people urinat- ing outside, Lokken said.


“If they make it so we can’t have campers, we’ll


have to shut our doors.” – Business owner, Shannon Michels


particularly with several RVs parked close together. “If one goes up, they’re all going to


Officials worry about fire hazards,


go up,” Lokken said. Lokken estimated that there are


300 to 400 campers throughout the community in driveways, streets and parking lots. The proposed ordinance


would make living in an RV a misde- meanor and subject to a $500 fine. Commissioner Brent Bogar said


leaders recognize that most RV resi- dents don’t cause any problems. “At the same time, it creates an im-


pact on the city that we cannot ignore,” Bogar said, adding that RV residents don’t pay property taxes that support city services. Koeser said new RV parks are going


in, including one the city improved in an industrial park that will accommo- date 600 to 700 units. Williams County also has RV parks in the works, Koeser said. The commissioners will consider


the comments they receive and discuss the ban again May 22. If the ban is ap- proved, commissioners will likely give people some time to comply. Commissioner Tate Cymbaluk said


under the bus, not today, not tomor- row, not next month,” Cymbaluk said.


leaders are trying to figure out when the RV parks will be ready and make adequate time adjustments. “We’re not going to kick you guys


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