Recreational vehicle definition may change in Apache Junction

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

Portable truck campers would no longer be defined as a recreational vehicle under changes proposed for the city of Apache Junction’s zoning code.

Six members of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission were updated on proposed text amendment changes to the zoning code during a meeting Jan. 23 with no decision made. Board member Richard Cantwell was absent.

A public hearing on the changes is slated for Feb. 27 with the commission. The changes also will be discussed at the March 4 work session and March 5 meeting of the Apache Junction City Council. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.

Council previously approved defining a recreational vehicle as including a portable camping trailer, motor home, park trailer/park model, travel trailer and portable truck camper, Associate Planner Erika Hernandez said during the Jan. 23 commission meeting.

“(S)taff recommends modifying the definition of recreational vehicle including these proposed right here — so motor homes, we got Class A, Class B, Class C and camper van; park model is still going to be there just like it was previously, no modifications to that; travel trailer: conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, hybrid trailers, popup or tent campers, teardrop camper and nonmotorized toy hauler; and we will be removing portable truck camper,” she said.

Commissioner Dirk Begeman asked what the definition was for a portable truck camper.

“(I)t’s just like a camper that slides into the bed of a truck, so you can remove it. It doesn’t have a chassis. It doesn’t have wheels. A lot of people, they put the truck camper in the back of their truck and they pretty much leave it there,” Hernandez said.

“So I couldn’t take the camper out of my truck and park it in my yard?” Begeman asked.

Hernandez said it can be removed from the truck and stored.

In other business, the commission approved a chair and vice chair for 2024. Dave Hantzsche was approved unanimously as chair.

A vote for Jesse Gage as vice chair failed 3-3, with commissioners Gage, Ari Kalan and Dirk Begeman dissenting. Hantzsche and commissioners Sheryl Bigelow and Robin Barker voted yes.

A vote for Barker as vice chair was approved 5-1, with Bigelow dissenting.

“I thought you didn’t want it, Robin; that’s why I said ‘no,’” Bigelow said after the vote.

The commission’s primary duties include community contact regarding items such as a zoning change request, to an application from a developer for a shopping center development or housing project. Also included are conditional-use permits with the final decision being handled at the Planning & Zoning Commission level. There are seven members appointed who serve three-year terms, according to the city’s website.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.