Morro Bay citizen petition seeks to end waterfront RV camping program
A petition organized by Morro Bay citizens opposing RV waterfront camping wants voters to decide whether the city program is a worthwhile way to generate revenue for the Harbor Department or an eyesore that generates trash and noise.
Last year, the City Council voted to continue the pilot program that allows for RV parking and tent camping in designated waterfront locations with views of the bay and Morro Rock.
The pilot program remains in place as the city pursues a permanent camping program through a Coastal Commission permit.
Officials say the program gives campers additional spots to enjoy the beauty of Morro Bay, while also generating needed fee revenues for the city’s aging harbor infrastructure.
But some residents have voiced complaints about the RV camping program, saying that campers are noisy, leave behind trash and disturb natural settings in locations near bayside pathways and public spaces.
“The city residents are feeling that the program doesn’t jive with a natural area,” said Betty Winholtz, a petition co-organizer. “There are problems with trash and noise. You don’t have large campers sitting in the middle of your parking lot.”
Morro Bay City Clerk Dana Swanson said the petition needs 820 valid signatures, representing 10% of city voters, and the city’s staff will begin its verification process starting Wednesday.
Swanson said the matter could be placed on the City Council’s meeting agenda on Feb. 8 for review and potential placement on a future ballot, whether it’s in June or November.
“We hope they decide to put it on the June ballot,” Winholtz said.
Eric Endersby, Morro Bay’s Harbor Department director, said he believes that waterfront camping has been “very successful so far.”
“While we have had some negative user comments, because those users expected a more refined experience (we have no hookups and utilize minimally improved areas), the vast majority of our user comments have been very positive and supportive,” Endersby said in an email.
Bringing the matter to a vote
The petition — organized by Morro Bay residents Jim Curnutt, Carole Truesdale and Winholtz — garnered more than 1,000 signatures, which have been turned in to the city for processing.
The petition calls for prohibiting “unsuitable campsites” to protect natural beauty, prevent visual degradation of public spaces, preclude competition with local businesses and the state campground, and preserve day use parking.
The initiative would need a majority vote of over 50% to succeed.
“Morro Bay has two public campgrounds,” Winholtz said. “And there are six private RV campgrounds. So, we feel there are more than enough places for people to go.”
Winholtz said other RV camping locations have amenities such as fire pits, bathrooms and showers instead of “sitting on a piece of asphalt on the Embarcadero.”
“The only thing the city issues is a picnic table, not even a trash can,” Winholtz said. “And there’s no oversight.”
Curnutt said he doesn’t believe the RV campground spots are necessary.
“I think these spots need to be left alone so people can enjoy the peace and quite around those sites,” Curnutt said.
Winholtz said a new harbor revenue stream could be generated by raising waterfront lease prices along the Embarcadero, rather than relying on camping fees.
Morro Bay city perspective
The city rents camping spaces for between $65 and $75 a night at Tidelands, Morro Creek and the Maritime Museum.
In about 15 months of operation, the pilot program has grossed about $180,000 and netted about $160,000, Endersby said.
Endersby said about $18,000 goes to the city’s General Fund through bed tax (transient occupancy tax) and $2,700 to the county in tourism tax.
“All net revenues go to the Harbor Department’s operating fund, but are not designated for any particular use,” Endersby said.
Last year, Endersby cited the budget constraints and need to generate revenues to help maintain the harbor facilities, including the boardwalk, bathrooms, parks, beach access areas and parking.
Late councilman Robert “Red” Davis said last year that the harbor facilities are falling apart and lack needed resources.
“We all love the harbor, but our harbor facilities are disintegrating,” Davis said at a Feb. 9, 2021, meeting. “For me, it is all about the money. I’m not sure I could support the camping program if our harbor fund were not in such dire straits.”
The program remains a temporary one until the city is granted Coastal Commission approval pending a permit it applied for last year.
Endersby said: “Like any RV park, yes, we have had some negative impacts, mostly noise complaints from folks running their generators a little late.”
Endersby said the city has had letter exchanges with the commission staff, adding clarification on some details before the full commission reviews the matter.
The next chance the proposal could be reviewed by the Coastal Commission is in March.
But the city hasn’t heard if it’s on the agenda yet.
If the Coastal Commission denies the permit altogether, the program will end, Endersby said.
“If they approve it as proposed, or with some modifications, we’ll take that back to the City Council for their OK of the program on a long-term basis, as opposed to a pilot,” Endersby said. “And, of course, the petition could throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing.”
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