Local News - July 2002

Mobile home changes draw fire

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

July 3, 2002 - Proposed amendments to a section of the Lincoln County Zoning Ordinance regulating mobile homes were met with opposition from some residents Monday.

As a result, the issue was tabled until more information could be gathered.

The Lincoln County Planning Board initiated the changes, said Randy Hawkins, zoning administrator.

The changes include new requirements regulating the appearance of mobile homes, which some residents felt were unclear and too strict.

The first requirement is that mobile homes placed on individual lots, not in mobile home parks, have masonry underpinning. Currently, the zoning ordinance says mobile homes must have skirting.

Steve Isaac, who rents mobile homes, said the rental aspect of the brick underpinning requirement could prove more costly to the renter.

When renting a mobile home to someone, it’s more feasible to be able to pull it in and out of lots, said Isaac. This would be difficult with the permanence of masonry underpinning.

Isaac asked the board not to punish people who are forced to live in mobile homes.

“Before you let this group impose all this on people who can’t afford it, you need to take it into consideration,” Isaac said.

A second requirement is that homes have a deck or porch entrance at least 36-square-feet in area on all front and rear entrances.

Mobile home parks already have a decking requirement — homes must have a porch or pad on the front entrance no less than 80-square-feet.

Steve Whitt of Thomasville, who manufactures mobile homes, said the current 80-foot landing requirement seems excessive.

Regulation is a two-way street, Whitt said.

“If (mobile homes) are treated like site-built housing, they should be regulated like site built housing,” Whitt said.

The proposed requirement that was met with the most opposition states that homes must have a shingled roof.

The amendment would prohibit homes with metal roofs from being brought into the county, but would not affect those already here.

The definition of “shingled” was unclear to residents who attended the meeting, as well as some commissioners.

Hawkins recognized the need for clarification.

“It may be unwise to say the roof must be finished with a type of material without specifying what type,” Hawkins said.

Commissioner Beth Saine pointed out that many stick-built houses have metal roofs, and through some research, she found that those roofs have better warranties and offer better protection.

“My problem is, what’s wrong with the metal roof?” Saine said.

Commissioner Larry Craig said the type of metal used on mobile home roofs drastically differs from that used on stick-built houses.

“The type of metal used on mobile homes is in a class by itself,” Craig said. “The definition of ‘metal’ roof needs work.”

Residents agreed.

Whitt stated that the roof terminology is difficult to grasp.

Ken Huss said metal roofs on mobile homes are durable, cost-effective and functional.

The planning board discussed the issue during its meeting, and Hawkins reported back to commissioners.

More information about the roof and rental lot issues will be gathered and presented to commissioners at their next meeting July 29.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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