RV dwellers in northeast Calgary issued 1-month permit but may soon be forced to move

A group of people living in motorhomes along a street in a northeast Calgary industrial park remains in limbo as back-and-forth discussions with the city continue.

On Monday afternoon, officials from the Calgary Parking Authority made an unexpected visit to the camper community on Moraine Road Northeast, issuing temporary parking permits for nine motorhomes. These permits will expire on November 21.

Victor LaRock, a resident who has lived in his RV on the street for a decade, described the surprise permits as “a complete shock” and expressed uncertainty about what will happen once they expire.

“We’re upended wondering what the heck is going to happen,” LaRock said. “We’re not moving. We’ve already stated this. We’ve already been told we don’t have to move.”

The motorhome residents were previously granted a temporary extension after the city tried to enforce a permanent no-parking zone on the street in early September. The dispute even led to a face-to-face meeting between the residents and Ward 10 Councillor Andre Chabot, who represents the area.

“People are struggling; more and more are moving into RVs. We’re trying to survive outside of tents because tents are killing people,” LaRock said. “We need to survive. We can’t afford housing.”

The newly issued permits, provided at no cost, permit RV parking in the curb lanes of the 300 and 400 blocks of Moraine Road Northeast. However, they come with conditions that prohibit obstructing the street, sidewalk, and boulevard with stored materials, and require that safe traffic access be maintained at all times.

LaRock said he keeps his wood and propane neatly on the boulevard, which he also mows during the summer, but described the permit conditions as “targeted” and “nitpicking.”

“Where do I put my firewood? I have a wood-burning stove, I don’t have a furnace. How do I stay warm?” he asked. “Sure, I’m allowed to park here, but I can’t survive.”

In an interview, Chabot said the city is considering relocating the RVs to other streets after the permits expire.

“Likely on a different road and probably in a different community, providing relief to some of the local businesses and a safer environment,” Chabot explained. “Right now that street isn’t safe. There are wider streets in other industrial areas that would be more suitable, with less traffic.”

Chabot emphasized that the long-term goal is to find a more permanent location for the motorhomes. He said discussions with other city officials are ongoing to reach a solution.

“Where and when is something we’ll have to negotiate between me, administration, and my colleagues,” Chabot said. “It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Just put them here.’ I need seven other people to agree to it.”

LaRock said the motorhome residents also hope for a permanent space and are willing to pay for an affordable monthly permit. However, he stressed that they want to be included in the decision-making process.

“No matter how much they think they know what we need, they don’t,” LaRock said. “They don’t live this way. They have no idea what it’s like.”