A request by the owner of residential property in Pierce City, Missouri to re-zone the land as a manufactured home community (MHC) was denied by the city’s aldermen, which is keeping the owner from filling two vacant home sites. A local ordinance requires an empty slot to have a replacement unit sited within 60 days of being vacated or it becomes ineligible. Ken Madison, owner of the 15 unit community, also requested an extension of the 60 days time limit to 180 days, but that request was turned down as well, according to monett-times.com. He says other cities where he owns manufactured homes do not have time limits on when to fill vacancies. Thomas Hagar, director of the Missouri Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA), says, “The city is just trying to eliminate manufactured housing. It’s unfair to the citizens and unfair across the board. Is this a matter of precedent in the city that they require from other types of housing as well? Do they require a home that has burned to be rebuilt in 60 days? If not, this is bordering on economic discrimination.” As MHProNews reported Sept. 6, 2011, municipalities often propose restrictions on MH. ##
