The Washington County, Maryland Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing today regarding several proposed changes to the county’s zoning ordinance, including ones that affect manufactured homes.

According to the Herald-Mail Media, zoning amendments are proposed to the 1973 ordinance from time to time due to changing times and technology.

“Current law states a mobile home [sic] can only be replaced with one that fits on the existing foundation, which does not allow for expansions to double-wides [sic],” said Chief Planner Jill Baker.

“The proposed change would create some flexibility, allowing for such replacements as long as setback requirements are met.”

Existing manufactured homes with a smaller setback would be grandfathered in, but must meet their existing property setback with replacement homes.

The proposed amendments would also disallow accessory structures such as sheds or pools, in-ground or above ground, in front yards.

Some residents voiced concerns about such items in front yards, and they create problems for potential road widening and highway right of way projects, according to county documents on the matter.

As Daily Business News readers are aware, a number of zoning related stories have been in the news lately, including a case in Wilmington, North Carolina, where city leaders are moving forward with a plan to rezone parts of an area that includes the Melrose Mobile Home Park, where residents will be required to move.

“It is all about money. At Wrightsville Beach they want this property so they can zone it so they can build more rich condos here,” said resident Rhonda Poythress.

Also of note is the case of the Boulder City Mobile Home Park in Boulder City, Nevada, where the area around the community was re-zoned to a multi-home residential area.

Those who commented on the matter didn’t pull any punches.

“I like the residential idea because it would not be a trailer park [sic] anymore,” said councilman Cam Walker.

Developer and board member Randy Schams, who asked for the rezoning, echoed Walker’s sentiment.

“I have been building here for 20-plus years and I have never heard one positive thing about that trailer park [sic],” said Schams.

“I am just trying to make it more appealing and with affordable housing.” ##

(Image credits are as shown above.)

 

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