In Mount Vernon, Illinois, what appears to be another case of NIMBY (Not-In-My-Back-Yard) has reared its head.

According to the Register-News, a first reading of an ordinance to annex property for a manufactured home community was held this week, and several residents in attendance voiced their concerns.

“We would like a couple more weeks to find out more about what this entails,” said Attorney Hank Villani, speaking on behalf of his client, the Jefferson Fire Protection District.

“The loss of tax revenue to the fire protection district was a concern.”

The property owner, Jefferson County Holdings, LLC, is asking for the annexation and change of zoning designation from General Agriculture to Resident Manufactured Home Community to “facilitate potential sale of property to residential developer.“

One of the challenges around the process lies in the existing classifications on the books.

Under the current classification, R-MH, which covers manufactured homes, laundromats, parks and playgrounds and essential services, the district is created to preserve and enhance property values in the community by providing designated, distinctive areas in which MH may be situated for residential dwelling purposes.

“It’s an old ordinance and hasn’t been revisited for many years,” said City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel.

“It’s time to improve and update it. … The standards for manufactured homes have changed, subdivision expectations have changed. We want to improve and control the construction in that zoning area closely. We want to revise the standards for a mobile home park [sic] so it’s more appropriate to modern living.”

But some residents, including Jill and Mike Nordin, were less than convinced that the move was a good idea.

“I hope this won’t be a park view trailer court [sic],” said Jill Nordin.

“We have more questions than answers,” said Mike Nordin.

“A traditional mobile home park [sic] affects value of adjoining property. We have no information on what this is going to be. A reasonable real estate agent will tell you mobile homes [sic] affect area property values. You also have to remember there are already tremendous traffic problems there, especially when there are large gatherings at the ball fields. The kids have a ball, but the parents don’t know where to park.”

They were not alone.

“We don’t need mobile homes [sic] across from Klein Field and Lincoln Park,” said Larry Goss, a resident of the Western Gardens area of the city.

“Go on Veterans (Memorial Drive) past Oak Grove mobile home park [sic] that was started in the 60s. They have done a certain job of keeping it up, with upkeep, but there are also a number of police calls in that area. … We don’t need another deteriorating mobile home park [sic] near Western Gardens.”

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley told those in attendance that although the council is now looking at the annexation, the Zoning and Planning Commission will hear more about the plans for the property while considering a zoning change next week. “At that time more information will be presented to the public,” said Chesley.

“I do understand that a great deal of thought has gone into the plan and will be presented at the zoning meeting on Monday at City Hall.”

The Daily Business News closely follows instances of NIMBY, including the recent instance in Winterville, North Carolina, where the town council moved to change where manufactured homes could be located. That story is linked here. ##

 

(Image credits are as shown above.)

 

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