It’s a sure sign that our city is maturing when the council spends time examining the law on recreational vehicles. The major decisions have already been made. Now it’s time for fine tuning.

RVs include motor homes, boats and Jet Skis.

The typical problem involves a neighbor who parks his RV and impairs the view of people who live nearby—people who consider recreational vehicles to be a blight on scenery.

There’s no doubt that watching a sunset is more scenic than staring at the broadside of a Winnebago.

Some RV owners had been playing games with the existing law by parking in their driveways for 29 days and then moving their vehicles (to comply with the letter of the 30-day law, if not its intent). A day later, the RV would reappear in the driveway to start the clock for another cycle.

Recreational vehicles don’t enhance panoramic views of the local terrain, that’s for sure. But we can’t help wonder if some of the complainers are jealous of the RV owners. Both sides generally agree that RVs shouldn’t be parked on streets because of public safety.

The two constituencies represent a classic confrontation regarding the rights of property owners.

Although the number of complaints about RVs is up in Thousand Oaks, it seems to be a few disgruntled residents who are making most of the noise. They think RV owners should pay to store their toys somewhere else or move to communities with liberal policies on parking RVs in residential areas.

Maybe the shoe should be on the other foot.

If people can’t park motor homes and boats on their own private property, the offended parties—not the RV owners—should move to neighborhoods where conditions, covenants and restrictions forbid recreational vehicles.