The discrepancy is whether apartments and manufactured home communities are considered commercial or residential. Commercial properties pay twice what residential properties pay on special assessments. City Commissioner Parrell Grossman said the city classifies manufactured home communities (MHC) as commercial because state law does, but he met with other officials and they agreed that all commercial properties receive a 25 percent reduction on special assessments. Looming in the background is the coming special assessment for the upgrading of Century Ave., as MHProNews has learned.
Myron Atkinson, who co-owns Tatley Meadows Park community said, “It is the most affordable housing we have in Bismarck,” said Atkinson, referring to manufactured home living. “We feel mobile homes should be special-assessed the same as residential property.”
Rep. Mike Nathe (R-Bismarck) sponsored legislation that would make each MHC site the same as a single-family lot, but that was amended to allow each city to decide for itself.
Grossman added that people who live in MHCs use the roads more than those who live in single-family homes. (ed. note: ???) He was quickly refuted by Atkinson who reminded the commission that roads in communities are maintained by the owners, not by the city. ##
(Photo credit: Sunny Oaks manufactured home community)
