09-07-1982 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes September 7, 1982 Page Four The City Administrator further indicated that the proposed ordinance amendment would allow for mobile homes in agricultural zones and R-1a zones for a period of two years, and further indicated that the parcel of land must be a minimum of forty acres with the principal and predominate use as agricultural. The City Adminisrator further indicated that the intent of the zoning ordinance is for legimate full scale farming operations and not for mobile homes to be placed on vacant land within the City of Elk River. Mayor Hinkle then opened the public hearing to the public. Mr. Walt Nelson, a resident of the mobile home park, questioned why he could not move his mobile home out to the country, rather than pay the high rent of the mobile home park. Mayor Hinkle indicated that it was his feeling that the purpose of the ordinance amendment was to encourage agricultural use in the City. Mayor Hinkle further indicated that prior to the consolidation of the City, the County did allow for mobile homes in agricultural areas. The City Administrator indicated that the zoning ordinance amendment would deal with a limited amount of mobile homes and is not intended to apply to the whole City or to all mobile homes. The City Administra- tor further indicated that the zoning ordinance amendment's intent is for a specific use. The City Administrator indicated that the City of Elk River's ordinance allows for mobile homes in mobile home parks and further indicated that many cities do not even allow mobile homes at all. Mr. George Dechene indicated that it was his feeling that the City ought to do some- thing to help provide affordable housing for young families. Mr. Dechene indicated that the mobile home park within the City of Elk River has nothing to offer the residents of the park, and further indicated that they did not provide a park for the children, a shelter or laundry facilities. Mr. Dechene again expressed his feeling that he felt the City Council should do something to help provide affordable housing for the young; not necessarily subsidized housing. Mrs.. Eugene Dierks indicated that she would like to be able to place her mobile home on a piece of property where she would not have to be told what to do and how to live. Mrs. Dierks further indicated that in the mobile home park within the City of Elk River, residents are not allowed to put a swing on their mobile home site, the park limits the amount of ~eople they may have come and visit them, the park request information regarding overnight guest, and the park does not pro- vide ,a .'playgrdund"area. Councilman Engstrom indicated that the problem was a matter of competition. The mobile home park within the City of Elk River is the only mobile home park in the City. Mr. Gary Santwire indicated that the City does have an ordinance that would allow for another mobile home park within the City of Elk River and that the City, through its ordinance regulations, can regulate the mobile home park. Mr. Santwire further indicated that he felt the time would come when mobile home owners would be able to buy the land that they place their mobile home on within a trailer park; something similar to the townhouse concept.