HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-07-07 PZC MINUTESCITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
July 7, 1976
I. CALL TO ORDER.
The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission
was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Tanguma.
Members present: Jones, Jorgenson, Parker, D. Smith, Tanguma,
Wade, Williams
Romans, Ex-officio
Members absent: Pierson, E. Smith
Also present: Intern Alice Fessenden
Assistant City Attorney DeWitt
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
Chairman Tanguma stated that Minutes of June 22, 197 6, were to
be considered for approval.
Wade moved:
Jorgenson seconded: The Minutes of June 22, 1976, be approved
as written.
AYES: Wade, Williams, Jorgenson, Parker, D. Smith, Tanguma
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Jones
ABSENT: Pierson, E. Smith
The motion carried .
III. MOBILE HOME PARK PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
Proposed Ordinance -Third Draft
Mrs. Romans cited documents that she has used in the preparation
of the proposed ordinance; among these documents are:
1. MINIMUM PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE HOME COURTS; FHA,
December 1961.
2. REGULATION OF MODULAR HOUSING, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON
MOBILE HOMES; ASPO-PAS, 1971.
3. LOCAL REGULATION OF MOBILE HOME PARKS, TRA VEL TRAILER
PARKS AND RELATED FACILITIES; Mobile Homes Manufacturers
Association.
4. MOBILE HOME PARKS, PART 2; ULI.
5. MOBILE HOME PARKS, PART 1; ULI.
6. AGAINST THE WIND; State Farm Insurance.
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7. FLASH FACTS ON MOBILE, SECTIONAL AND MODULAR HOMES; Mobile
Homes Manufacturers Association.
8. MOBILE HOMES, MARKETING CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
MOBILE HOME PARKS; Market Profiles.
9. STANDARD FOR MOBILE HOMES; Mobile Homes Manufacturers
Association.
10. MOBILE HOME PARKS REGULATIONS; City of Englewood, 1958.
Mrs. Romans stated that the Commission is now considering the
third draft of the proposed ordinance.
Mr. Tanguma questioned Page 3, (3). Mrs. Romans stated that
in previous discussions, the Commission seemed to want to
permit the sale of the unit by the owner, but not require that
the unit stay on that particular lot, as is implied by the
wording: " ..... but this limitation is not intended to prohibit
the sale of a mobile home on the lot it is intended to occupy."
Discussion ensued. Don Williams asked if the intent is not to
get away from sales by professional salesmen rather than sales
by the individual? Mr. DeWitt stated that he understood that
to be the intent. Mr. Tanguma asked about the owner who had an
agent sell the unit for him? Don Smith stated that he felt that
would be permissible; the intent is not to restrict the owner
from selling the mobile home, nor to place restrictions on who
sells it for him.
Ed Smith entered and took his place with the Commission. Dis-
cussion ensued. Don Smith suggested that the last phrase of
Y(3) Page 3, be amended to read: " ... but this limitation is
not intended to prohibit the sale of a mobile home by the
owner on the lot it currently occupies." Mr. Williams asked
if a mobile home park owner would have to have a license to
buy and sell more than two mobile homes? Discussion ensued.
Mr. Jones stated that he felt a mobile home was more like a
registered vehicle than a single-family home. If the mobile
home park owner wanted to move it to another site, within the
park, this should not be restricted.
Ed Smith noted that some businesses make a practice of fore-
closing on mobile homes, and reselling them on the site. The
sale could not be stopped if there is a qualified buyer and a
qualified seller.
Mr. DeWitt asked what is wrong with the development where the
owner is selling the units on a turn-over basis; if the owner
has an agreement with the park manager for sale of the unit,
the manager can act as the broker. Mrs. Romans pointed out
that the purpose of this proposed ordinance is to provide for
residential use, not a sales lot.
Ed Smith stated he felt that, economically, no one would use
an eight-acre mobile home park for a mobile home sales lot.
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Mrs. Wade pointed out that in a way, the mobile home sales/park
developers have been put into business; back a number of years
ago, if someone purchased a mobile home, they could not find
any place to park the unit; the dealers have since set up their
own mobile home parks, and it is to their advantage to keep it
a good business. Further discussion ensued.
Mr. DeWitt discussed the wordi~g proposed by Don Smith and by
Ed Smith, and suggested: " ..••. but this limitation does not
prohibit the sale of a mobile home from the lot it occupies."
Ed Smith moved:
Wade seconded: Page 3, Y(3) be amended to read: Restriction
on Sales Lot. No sales lot for mobile homes
or other movable dwellings or component modulars
shall be permitted in this District; BUT THIS
LIMITATION DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE SALE OF A
MOBILE HOME FROM THE LOT IT OCCUP IES.
AYES: Tanguma, Wade, Williams, Jones, Jorgenson, Parker,
Don Smith, Ed Smith
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Pierson
The motion carried.
Page 6a, Maximum Lot Coverage, was then discussed at length.
Mrs. Romans noted there is no minimum lot size given; a large
mobile home may be placed on a lot provided the maximum per-
centage of lot coverage, livability space, and dwelling unit
exposure requirements are met. Mrs. Romans stated if the lot
coverage is increased above the 35% maximum, the patio cover
and carport must be counted toward the lot coverage. Mr.
Williams asked if these provisions apply to modular homes?
Mrs. Romans stated they would in a Mobile Home Park.
Don Smith inquired about a 40' x 60' unit; he stated this was
a standard double wide unit, and he didn't feel it could be
parked on a lot and not exceed the 35% lot coverage.
Mr. DeWitt stated that a 28' x 60' is the maximum double wide;
14 ft. is the maximum width you can have on the road; 12 ft.
is the standard width.
Mr. Williams noted that anything in excess of 11.5 ft. width
must have a special permit to travel on the highways. Mrs.
Romans again pointed out there is no minimum or maximum lot
size.
Don Smith acknowledged that a 28' x 60' unit would meet the
35% lot coverage restrictions; he did not feel a 40' x 60'
unit should be restricted because of lot coverage.
Page 19, Screening provisions, were considered. Mrs. Romans
stated that the intent of this provision is to protect the
occupa nts of the mobile home park from any adverse surroundings.
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Screening would be required along street sides in an effort to
reduce noise pollution for the residents of the Park. Don Smith
asked if the screening provisions would require developers to
put in fencing rather than plantings for the screening? Mr s .
Romans pointed out that one problem with plantings, is tha t n o
one bothers to maintain them, and they then serve no screening
purpose and become a visual problem.
Continuing, Mrs. Romans noted that not less than 8% of the
mobile home park area must be devoted to children's play and
adult recreation areas.
Mrs. Romans stated that the owner of a mobile home park in
Sheridan had reviewed the proposed regulations, and had made
some of the suggestions that are contained within this draft,
such as the minimum eight acre mobile home park size. Dis-
cussion ensued.
Page 26, Ybb(l) was discussed. Don Smith asked if these pro-
visions were realistic --requiring a "fly-tight, water-tight ,
rodent-proof container". Mrs. Romans stated that she felt the
requirements were realistic. Mr. DeWitt questioned that there
is a "fly-tight" container? Discussion ensued. Ed Smith
pointed out that there must be lids on trash containers.
Parking of mobile homes was then discussed. Ed Smith asked
how this provision applied to motor homes such as Winnebagos?
Mrs. Romans stated that they are classified as recreational
vehicles rather than mobile homes.
Building permits are required for development of mobile home
parks, or any alterations, improvements, etc.
Certificates of Occupancy are required prior to occupanc y,
maintenance, or operation of a Mobile Home Park; page 3la,
§hh, Y(3), notes that "it shall be unlawful to permit any
person to occupy any mobile home in any mobile home park within
the corporate limits of the City of Englewood until such mobile
home and all facilities therefore have been inspected and
approved by the Code Enforcement Division and a Permit to occupy
the unit has been issued." This provision was discussed at
length. Commission members were concerned that a family might
be in violation of the provision or would be denied liv ing
quarters if a unit was moved in late on a Friday, and could not
be inspected until the following Monday. Ed S mith questio n e d
who would be liable in the event a unit was occupied prio r to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy? Mrs. Romans point ed
out that a mobile home park owner will know in advance o f any
units that are to be moved in, and would have time to n o tify
the Code Enforcement Division of the expected date and time of
arrival. Ed Smith suggested that possibly the provision s hould
be worded that the Certificate of Occupancy must be i ssue d
within three to five d a ys after the unit is moved in a n d hooked
up. Mrs. Romans stated that she did not feel this provision
as presently worded would be a problem; if the mobil e home park
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owner and/or manager notifies the Code Enforcement Division a
unit is to be moved in over the week-end, an inspector would
be ~here to inspect the unit. Discussion ensued. Mr. DeWitt
sta ted that this indicates an inspection and Certificate of
Occu p a ncy must be issued every time a unit is moved. Mrs.
Roma R3 pointed out that every time a single family house is
built or moved, it must be inspected and a Certificate of
Occupancy must be issued. Discussion followed. Don Smith
stated that he was concerned that a family would be denied
o ccupancy for a couple of days until a Certificate was issued.
Ed Smith agreed that the time element is of concern. Mr.
Tanguma pointed out that there is a lot of pre-planning that
goes into the moving and location of a mobile home; it canno t
be done in just one day. He stated that he felt the mobile
home park owner will be responsible for notifying the Code
Enforcement Division of expected move-ins. Mrs. Romans pointed
out that the Inspectors had asked for this provision, and that
she feels it should apply to all units. Mrs. Romans noted
that the Code Enforcement Inspectors are working wi t h the
tenants and owners of mobile home parks along South Santa Fe,
and these are primarily old units. It was the intent of the
provision that the units must meet all Code requirements
prior to occupancy. Mr. DeWitt asked if there are standards
set forth to determine whether or not a unit meets the Codes?
Don Williams noted that the units have been inspected when
manufactured, and will meet the codes. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Tanguma stated that he felt the only problem with the
provisions in §hhf (3) is that it does not cover new parks.
Mrs. Romans agreed that this provision should be contained in
§gg, also.
Ed S~ith stated that the Inspectors should have standards to
follow in the inspection o i the units, and that these standards
should be set forth in the ordinance. Discussion on what these
standards should cover ensued. Mrs. Romans stated she would
ask the Code Enforcement Division for their suggestions on these
standards.
Don Smith suggested that on new parks, possibly the Certificate
of Occupancy could be issued within 72 hours after installation
of the unit. Mrs. Romans reiterated that she did not feel this
provision is that much of a problem; the mobile home park owner
will know in advance of any units that are coming in, and will
have time to notify the Code Enforcement Division for an in-
spection.
The fact that existing mobile home parks do not meet the
standards of the proposed mobile home park ordinance was dis-
cussed. Mr. DeWitt stated that these mobile home parks could
continue in operation even though they do not meet the proposed
standards, in respect to minimum acreage, etc. They would,
however, have to meet the health and safety standards.
Page 32 was considered. Mrs. Romans stated that at the present
time, monthly inspections are required, and a charge of $1/month
per un it is levied. The proposal is to have an annual inspection
~equ ir ed, with the option of additional inspections as required.
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Don Smith questioned whether the statement "The Inspector shall
have the power to enter at a reasonable time, upon reasonable
notice, any private or public property for the purpose of in-
spection and investigating conditions relating to the enforce-
ment of this section or any regulation which may be promulgated
hereunder" was legally correct? Could the Inspectors enter upon
private property? He noted that Inspectors have to get a
warrant to get into a house if the owner does not allow the
inspection. Mr. DeWitt stated that the same procedure would
apply in this case.
Mrs. Romans reviewed the definitions of words and phrases used
in the text of the proposed ordinance. Don Smith suggested a
definition of a Mobile Home Park Certificate of Occupancy and
a Mobile Home Certificate of Occupancy should be included.
Mr. Williams stated that he felt that was self-explanatory.
He stated he felt the proposed ordinance is good, and is some-
thing to work with. Mr. Jones stated that he did not feel
there will be many new mobile home parks in Englewood.
IV. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
Mrs. Romans noted that it has been suggested for some time
that the Comprehensive Plan needs revision. This is a recorded
document, and was approved in 1969. Mrs. Romans briefly re-
viewed the sections of the Comprehensive Plan, which are the
HISTORY AND CHARACTER, DRAINAGE PLAN, MASTER STREET PLAN,
RECREATION PLAN, POPULATION AND LAND USE, CENTRAL BUSINESS
DISTRICT, PUBLIC FACILITIES, and A PLACE TO LIVE. Discussion
followed.
V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE
Mrs. Romans discussed the wrecking yards in Northwest Englewood,
and the attempts to improve these yards. The Auto Wrecking and
Junk Yard Ordinance was adopted in 1961 in an attempt to regulate
this business. New Auto Wrecking Yards or Junk Yards were not
permitted after 1963; the yards must be fenced and there can be
no stacking above the height of the fence. Sanitary facilities
must be provided; fire lanes must be open through the yards.
Mrs. Romans noted that the auto wrecking yards that existed in
Northwest Englewood have cleaned up a great deal. In the past,
there has been a prohibition on extending the size of the auto
wrecking/junk yards that applies to area, not to the number of
cars contained within that yard. Some of the businesses are
now under new ownership, and the owners now want to build offices
and structures from which to make sales of the automotive parts
stripped from the cars. Until now, it has been interpreted
that this would be an expansion of the non-conforming use, and
inquirers have been informed this is not permitted. The question
is, do we want to keep the auto wrecking/junk yards as they
are, or do we want to give them a chance to clean up and improve
the operation?
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Ed Smith stated that he felt any construction must increase
compliance with the Ordinance. Mrs. Wade felt it might make
it look like a more desirable business rather than a junk yard.
Mrs. Romans noted that she has talked to at least four operators
who want to up-grade their businesses.
Mrs. Wade noted there are facilities available now to crush
the cars, and if they stored the useable parts inside a building,
this would clean up the operation. Ed Smith noted that a
commercial enterprise is an accepted use in the industrial
area. Mr. Tanguma stated he felt there is more benefit in
letting the owners improve and upgrade the business than in
letting it remain as it is. Brief discussion ensued.
Mrs. Romans read a letter from Mayor Taylor inviting members
of the Commission to the public hearing July 12th on the five -
year Capital Improvement Program.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Gertrude G. Welty
Recording Secretary