05&06 - Calvin Gibson - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

June 4, 2001 JUN 08 2001 Planning & Zoning Commission, CITE ATTORNEY : P/tRIS, ?EX 8 This letter is to inform the Planning & Zoning Commission of how disappointed I was to personally witness how "pitiful" the planning and zoning process is within the City of Paris. The specific meeting was held on June 4, 2001 at 5:30 PM. I received a letter from the City of Paris, infbrming me the planning and zoning commission was considering a proposed change in zoning. Per the letter, dated May 23, 2001, the proposed change is as follows: from a Two-Family Dwelling District (2F), to a One Family Dwelling District No. 3 (SF-3) With Specific Use Permit (39) Mobile Homes, Lots 19 and 20, City Block 160, being numbers 1050 and 1106 5m SE. The letter continued that as an interested property owner within 200 feet of this proposed change, I was invited to make my views known. What a wonderfnl opportunity. I actually went there believing my opposition to just such a zoning change would not fall on confused ears. I was wrong. At this meeting, there was a great deal of confusion about exactly what was a mobile home and what was manufactured housing. Several times, the property owner requesting the proposed change stated his intentions of placing a "mobile home" on the property. It was not until the representatives of a local manufactured home dealer influenced him to realize it was not in his best interest to continue referring to them as "mobile homes". All of a sudden, the mobile home became manufactured housing. Also this appeared to sway a planning and zoning commissioner who xvas originally emphatic there is no difference in the two. Somehow, in his mind too, the mobile home became manuf:actured housing. While I do not profess to be an expert on this subject, I certainly would hope that thc officials that are responsible for passing or denying would at least understand the basics of what they are considering. I also ~vould hope they would get their education from someone other than a business trying to sell one. There was also significant confusion on how the proposed "Master Plan" viewed mobile homes/manufactured housing (even the manufactured housing representative raised this question). There was even confusion on what are the current guidelines fbr this type of housing (a p&z member asked if a driveway could be added and Steve Methven said one was already a requirement). it is important to note, the issue at hand was specifically stated as "Mobile Home" per the City of Paris, May 23,2001 letter. Even the manufi~ctured housing representative implied that "mobile homes" ~vere substandard. While I am still amazed at witnessing the miracle of a mobile home becoming manufactured housing, does the planning and zoning action potentially allow for the property owner to move-in a "Mobile Home"? While I'm sure this is an issue for the la',wers, it appears to have created a loophole. Also of concern is the actual date of the City Council meeting where the City Council will take action on this proposed change. Per the letter, this meeting xvill be on Monday, June 11,2001. During the Planning and Zoning Meeting a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission stated the meeting is Thursday, June 7, 2001. Obviously more confusion is introduced to an already confusiug situation. When is it'?