Opinion > Editorials
Zoning code exists for a reason - enforce it
City Manager Glenn Nichols has made eliminating zoning code violations one of his key goals, and it is hard to see why that would be a bad thing.
Long before the July 27 City Council meeting, where manufactured home parks were discussed in executive session, Nichols said he had talked with Brad Hamilton about his concerns with the parks.
The City Council involvement was a result of a complaint by Glen Jenkins who lives next door to Stage Coach Trails manufactured home park in west Benson. Jenkins wrote the city alleging that oversized trailers had been crammed on to small lots in violation of code. Jenkins is particularly concerned about the trailer right next to his home.
Once staff began investigating the oversized trailers, Mayor Mark Fenn said other safety concerns came to light.
This does not seem like a particularly complicated issue. The code was written to ensure the safety of park residents. It ought to be enforced. The code establishes the size of lot needed for different sized trailers. Either they are on the proper lot or they're not. If not, that poses a hazard and it should be fixed.
And the "other safety hazards" the mayor referred to ought to be fixed. This isn't a case of the city getting into an argument between two parties. Wrongdoing has been alleged, and it needs to be investigated.
Former Councilwoman Dianne Tipton manages the Stage Coach Trails park. We can't help but be slightly amused by her and former Councilwoman Kathy Suagee's referring to Jenkins' letter as a "vendetta." They objected to Council's July 27 executive session discussion although these are the same two people who wanted to discuss the mayor's alleged wrongdoing in executive session last year. Apparently discussions out of the public eye are OK if they serve your purpose.
We hope Nichols and city staff stay on point with this investigation. If there are inconsistencies in the code (for instance between what the city needs and what the fire department needs), they should be discussed and unified.
The city has already quite rightly taken aim at property owners who fail to cut weeds and maintain their property. It is an aesthetic issue, but more importantly, it is a safety issue.
Possible violations in manufactured housing parks are even more threat to the public safety. We're sure that park operators will band together to try to stymie the city. We hope they don't succeed.
Long before the July 27 City Council meeting, where manufactured home parks were discussed in executive session, Nichols said he had talked with Brad Hamilton about his concerns with the parks.
The City Council involvement was a result of a complaint by Glen Jenkins who lives next door to Stage Coach Trails manufactured home park in west Benson. Jenkins wrote the city alleging that oversized trailers had been crammed on to small lots in violation of code. Jenkins is particularly concerned about the trailer right next to his home.
Once staff began investigating the oversized trailers, Mayor Mark Fenn said other safety concerns came to light.
This does not seem like a particularly complicated issue. The code was written to ensure the safety of park residents. It ought to be enforced. The code establishes the size of lot needed for different sized trailers. Either they are on the proper lot or they're not. If not, that poses a hazard and it should be fixed.
And the "other safety hazards" the mayor referred to ought to be fixed. This isn't a case of the city getting into an argument between two parties. Wrongdoing has been alleged, and it needs to be investigated.
Former Councilwoman Dianne Tipton manages the Stage Coach Trails park. We can't help but be slightly amused by her and former Councilwoman Kathy Suagee's referring to Jenkins' letter as a "vendetta." They objected to Council's July 27 executive session discussion although these are the same two people who wanted to discuss the mayor's alleged wrongdoing in executive session last year. Apparently discussions out of the public eye are OK if they serve your purpose.
We hope Nichols and city staff stay on point with this investigation. If there are inconsistencies in the code (for instance between what the city needs and what the fire department needs), they should be discussed and unified.
The city has already quite rightly taken aim at property owners who fail to cut weeds and maintain their property. It is an aesthetic issue, but more importantly, it is a safety issue.
Possible violations in manufactured housing parks are even more threat to the public safety. We're sure that park operators will band together to try to stymie the city. We hope they don't succeed.
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