The Louisville City Council on Tuesday indicated support for an ordinance that governs parking recreational vehicles on private property, but deferred the vote for two weeks so guidelines could be created for residents who want to seek variances.

“We need to have rules and we need to have boundaries,” said councilwoman Frost Yarnell.

The new ordinance would replace a previous one that wasn’t enforced because of controversy over its intent and effects.

It would allow a maximum of two recreational vehicles, including boats and trailers, to be parked outside of a garage or main driveway on private property. The law also sets guidelines for where on the property those vehicles can be parked and limits their length to 32 feet.

Former Mayor Tom Davidson suspended enforcement of the original 2002 ordinance amid complaints from residents who said it’s none of the city’s business what they park on their own property. The ordinance was formally repealed about a year ago. City staff members then gathered public input and worked to draft the new ordinance.

The original law prohibited detached trailers from being parked in residential front yards for more than 72 hours.

While the new law would allow residents to park trailers in their front yards, it would require those vehicles to be on a paved driveway or an improved surface, such as gravel or a concrete pad, next to a paved driveway.

The proposed law also stipulates that trailers parked in a side yard be screened by a six-foot, solid fence. Guests also would be allowed to live in a recreational vehicle parked at a residence for a maximum of 14 days in a six-month period.

The council directed staff to remove a requirement for a five-foot setback from neighboring properties for recreational vehicles parked in a side yard or backyard at the request of Old Town residents who live on small lots. The council also asked to add a sidewalk setback for those parked in front yards.

Several people spoke against the ordinance, saying it could force them to park their trailers on the street, creating a safety issue.

Resident Randy Luallin said it’s unnecessary given that there’s only been half a dozen complaints about recreational vehicles in the last six years.

“That’s a small number that doesn’t require an ordinance,” he said. “It has nothing to do with public safety.”

He suggested grandfathering in those who have recreational vehicles that exceed the size limit or using mediation for neighbors with issues around recreational vehicle parking.

But resident Ian Karpel countered that mediation doesn’t work without a law that sets limits.

“I’m not anti-RV,” he said. “It’s putting reasonable limitation on these RVs.”

Contact Camera Staff Writer Amy Bounds at 303-473-1341 or  boundsa@dailycamera.com.