“Normally, you’d think, ‘Two lots – how complicated can it be?’” city planner Todd Stowell said. “Well, this one is.”
In his report, the city planner said “mobile homes” are required to have individual lots. The same rule “technically” does not apply to the other homes.
Apparently, the two existing lots did not meet the city’s requirement to avoid what’s called a flag lot layout. A flag lot is a parcel of land that’s only accessible by a long, narrow stop of land leading from the main road.
“The proposal effectively flips which lot is a flag lot – from the west lot to the east lot,” Stowell wrote.
The boundary line adjustment moves the property line that creates a new lot for the Cook’s mobile home and combines the two existing lots into one lot with two homes.
As part of the exemption process, the Cooks had to provide legal notice to a dozen neighbors by letter. Four responded with complaints about noise, property devaluation and increased traffic, but none attended the hearing on the matter.
As for Mr. Cook, who did attend, assured the board that the mobile home wouldn’t be visible and would look nice when fixed up. “It’s not going to be an eyesore,” said Cook.
The Cody Enterprise’s report added that, “The board approved the special exemption request without requiring the solid, 6-foot-tall fence Stowell recommended and a neighbor wanted for privacy.” ##
(Image credits as shown.)
Submitted by RC Williams, for the Daily Business News, MHProNews.