Updating a story MHProNews published April 23, 2013 concerning guidelines for homes in residential districts in Brooksville, Hernando County, Fla., tampabay reports the planning and zoning commission passed the ordinance 3-2. It resembles the “similarity ordinance” that was enacted in 2000 but then repealed in 2010 at the request of a citizen’s committee who deemed it an unnecessary regulation that took too much staff time to enforce. The new regulation was proposed after the siting of a modular home that resembled a manufactured home drew neighbors’ complaints. The new ordinance governs specs for foundations and outer coverings, and sets certain architectural standards to prevent homes from looking like boxes. Opponents say the new rules impose excessive regulations on future homes, including modular; those in favor say it is the city’s responsibility to protect homeowners’ property values and upgrade neighborhoods. The County Commission, which has final say, will hold two public hearings before voting on the measure. Brooksville is an hour north of Tampa.
