Commissioners asked county staff to develop an ordinance dealing with the age of the MH. Staff has provided several options, including using the June, 1976 date when the federal government began regulating MH production. Other options were the seven-year ordinance as proposed, or make it 20 years, or ask someone in the MH industry.
A planning and zoning subcommittee expressed concern the rural areas of the county could become a dumping ground for abandoned MH, thus the seven-year restriction.
Opponents to the measure included retailers, installers, et al in the industry who depend upon the sales of older homes that are still in good shape, as well as individuals who can only afford an older, but decent, MH. A number of MH owners spoke against the ordinance, saying they cannot afford a more expensive home, and they would not be able to move their home to their own piece of property.
Commissioner Krystal Gabrielson said her 1972 home is in better shape than some of the nearby site-built homes, while several other commissioners played the “drop in valuation” card, aka “nimby.” Commissioner Bill Abbott said this is an important measure because there are 20,000 MH in the county.
Mike Luxton, salesman at Mohave Homes in Golden Valley said retailers will not want trade-ins because they cannot be sold. Billie Ragan, owner of an MH installing company, says if the county thinks your MH is worthless after seven years, you should not have to pay taxes on it. ##
(Image credit: aluxuryhomeforlife-Premier Homes manufactured home)
Article submitted by Matthew J. Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.
