OPINION: Changes To Lox Groves RV Ordinance Could Bring Thousands More RVs Into Community

Loxahatchee Groves residents, your attention is required.

On Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at 4 p.m., at the town office at 155 F Road, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council is going to vote to change the town’s RV ordinance.

Currently, a resident with a home on more than two acres up to 10 acres can have two RVs for a seasonal rental; 10-plus acres, the ordinance allows four seasonal RV rentals. There is a separate RV storage ordinance allowing two additional RVs for storage only. If the new ordinance is passed, this will allow six RVs on five acres.

The new RV ordinance will allow four RVs per five acres, plus two storage RVs. This could possibly bring 7,000-plus RV sites into Loxahatchee Groves, and if two people were living in each RV, that would be 14,000 additional people.

Some council members do not want code enforcement to monitor the RV situation. However, the Loxahatchee Groves Building Department is currently inundated with new permits and land improvements every day. These additional 7,000 RVs would bring an additional workload and nightmare to town staff.

Some council members also suggested reducing the RV permit fees, which are usually paid by the tenant and should cover the additional impact to the town. How many vehicles will the additional 7,000 RVs bring into the town? Can the canal banks and newly paved roads that are in desperate need of repair be able to accommodate this influx of vehicles? Who will be paying for the repairs and the additional usage? Obviously, the taxpayers of Loxahatchee Groves.

If the majority of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approves the revised ordinance, Loxahatchee Groves will become the trailer park for Wellington. Kiss goodbye the constant increasing market values in Loxahatchee Groves as 7,000 RVs infiltrate the town.

Please attend meetings when you can. Be kind and keep safe.

Phillis Maniglia, Councilwoman, Loxahatchee Groves