A new manufactured home community has been authorized by a vote of the Midland, Texas City Council earlier this month.
In the 1960s well into the 1990s, such approvals were fairly routine. But in the 20 years since manufactured housing hit its last high in 1998, the number of applications as well as approvals have declined significantly. So, what was once common is now ‘news.’
With more communities closing now that opening, it is an even more noteworthy achievement.
NewsWest 9 filed this video report, posted below. Notice: the video is temporarily down on their website, and thus here too. The station has been contacted, and hopefully will address their glitch.
The plan for the new development would reportedly more than double the 171 site community across the street, known as Stongegate Manufactured Housing Community, owned by Chase Gardaphe. According to the company’s website, the current community has site fees are as follows.
Single-wide Lots
Interior Lot $305.00
Corner Lot $345.00
Double-wide Lots
Interior Lot $355.00
Corner Lot $395.00
Per local media, the new property could feature single sectional, multi-sectional and tiny houses, with 50 acres and up to 600 home sites.
“We’re really excited to be opening up another manufactured housing community directly across the street from our current one,” said Gardaphe.
“It looks good, it’s aesthetically pleasing and I think he will do a good job with this new addition,” said Midland Councilman John Love III, per local media.
Councilman Michael Trost was the only official to vote against the request.
“I’m thinking that this is not visually and aesthetically what we should have north and south for the future,” said Councilman Trost.
Councilman Trost expressed that he’d rather see high quality apartments developed along the growing thoroughfare.
“If we’re gonna build, build apartments. We have already proved that, if you notice there are some really nice areas that have already been constructed, so that’s what I would like to see,” said Trost. That last comment fits the NIMBY attitude of many when it comes to manufactured housing.
Texas MH Reaction?
In an emailed comment to MHProNews, Lance Inderman said the following: “Midland deal sounds like a local entrepreneur greased the wheels of progress and got it done. Something that will never happen with companies headquartered in far away places with management that just barely knows how to sell the product they build. I believe all progress made in this industry is made by boots on the ground. The guys in suits just show up to consolidate and take choice away from consumers while the industry shrinks. But I could be wrong…” Inderman has retail, production and other interests in manufactured housing. He was a prior chairman for the TMHA.
Gardaphe and Stonegate were contacted for a reply and possible additional insights. Gardaphe said he was traveling, and would reply when possible.
As Texans know, it’s a big state, #2 in the U.S. in size. You can drive all day if you begin at the Louisiana line before arriving at El Paso. That noted, in Hamilton, another city is moving to ban manufactured housing, while Midland has approved this plan. For insights on that attempted ban, see the report linked below. Legal efforts are reportedly possible if the scenario described below is not resolved.
The Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) and the Manufactured Housing Institute have not yet weighed in on the issue above. By contrast, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association promptly replied to a request for comments and their engagement plan for a controversy in the panhandle of their state.
As noted, it is no longer common for a new development to be planned and approved, so this is a noteworthy achievement for the developer. Having an appealing existing community across the road has likely made the approval process easier.
That’s the latest on manufactured housing “Industry News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis, and commentary.)
Soheyla is a managing member of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn here and here.
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