In Coldwater, Michigan, a rezoning proposal for the expansion of a manufactured housing community was rejected.

According to the Daily Reporter, rezoning for the 10-acre expansion of Tall Grass Mobile Home Park failed, ending in a 3-3-tie vote after presentation and discussion before the Coldwater Planning Commission.

Residents of the area in attendance were not shy about their feelings regarding the community’s proposal.

“Adding the 55 homes is adding more of the same, adding to the problems,” said Paul Lindsley, who, along with his wife Sherry, own a park-style wedding venue across from Tall Grass.

“There is a lot of public intoxication, breaking and entering, trespassing, and even meth labs associated with residents in the mobile home park [sic],” said Sherry Lindsley.

“There are no sidewalks in the area. People walk in the road.”

The Lindsley’s also noted that there would be a potential increase in traffic, and that the expansion did not fit.

“This is low-income transient housing not compatible with the (city’s) master plan,” said Sherry Lindsley.

For Commissioner Jessica Cole, she sees a challenge with simply enforcing already existing laws as a part of the problem.

“How much of a role does this play?” asked Cole during the meeting.

“The arguments made by residents during the fight to prevent rezoning of the Fremont School site for apartments was to push multi-family residences to the edge of the city, where this project is located.”

But others on the council appear to see this as a class and quality issue.

“I think we need to step up to the plate and provide more middle class housing,” said Councilwoman Maureen Petzko, who objected to more lower-income housing with high turnover rates.

“That’s the people we want to attract.”

Commissioner Dave Rumsey agreed with Petzko on the matter.

“If we continue to approve low income housing, it’s not going to get us where we want to be,” said Rumsey.

For architect Don Westphal, he sees the developer, FR Community, as a good steward.

“The developer is sensitive to the neighbors,” said Westphal.

“I am confident the new owners of Tall Grass will do a good job.”

The proposal submitted by FR Community for the 55 lots on the 10.6 acres is designed to allow for upgrades to larger manufactured homes.

The vote tally saw Commissioners Garn, Cole and Chairperson Aloha Miller vote in favor of the rezoning, and Commissioners Petzko, Rumsey and Rick Stevens vote against.

The vote by the commissioners does not mean an end to the rezoning effort.

The issue could come back for a re-vote by the planning commission when more of the absent three members are present. It could also go forward to the city council, which could deny or approve the rezoning. ##

 

(Image credits are as shown above.)

 

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.