The City of Argo held a special council meeting at 10 a.m. today regarding a public hearing the Zoning Board held Tuesday night to address the 4-1 vote in favor of a new manufactured homes ordinance.

At the public hearing, Argo residents voiced concerns about zoning property for manufactured homes.  The board allowed anyone who wished to speak two minutes to make statements about the proposed ordinance.

Under the new ordinance, the zoned area is intended for residential use only.  The ordinance permits the placement of manufactured homes and manufactured home parks in the designated area.  The ordinance allows for single-family dwellings, both modular and site built, and customary accessory buildings in accordance with Section 6 of the ordinance.   Guidelines set forth in the ordinance adhere to regulations provided by the state of Alabama.

The land under the proposed ordinance is made up of approximately 960 acres, approximately 16 percent of the city’s total acreage.

Residents spoke both for and against the new ordinance.  Wanda Dean, a victim of April 27 storms, said, “What is going on here is discriminating and possibly illegal.”

On Aug. 11, Dean’s request to place a manufactured home on property owned by her family for eight years on Freeze Mountain Dr. was presented to the board by chairman Jim Link. The zoning board initially denied her request. Link told Dean the property in question was zoned for medium density, single family housing not manufactured homes.

Board member Ann Brown, who visited Freeze Mountain Dr., said that 80 to 90 percent of homes in the area were manufactured. Brown suggested changing the zoning in the area to allow for manufactured homes.  The board voted to change the length of time residents are permitted to replace their homes from six months to 10 years, giving manufactured homeowners more time if they are unable to replace their home within six months, as stated in the minutes of the Aug. 11, 2011 Argo Zoning Board meeting.  All members present voted for the change.  The board moved forward with drawing up a map of zoned areas and proposed ordinance presented at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“Under the present zoning law passed in 2008, I may have to move my trailer,” Dean said.

Like Dean and her family other manufactured home owners think the protest is unjust.  In favor of the new zoning, Carl Putman said, “It’s unfair to even consider hurting people who have been here for a number of years.  People here are proud of their homes.”

Residents who shared comments opposing the new ordinance expressed concerns over decreasing property value and increased traffic congestion, saying they did not move to a subdivision only to be surrounded by manufactured homes.  “I don’t want 200 trailers in my back yard,” Amy DeLoach said.

Others were disappointed in the way the board handled the situation.  “I’m disappointed in the city council.  I only knew about the meeting because of notices put on my mailbox,” Laura Beth Burton said.

“I live in a mobile home.  I’ve got good neighbors,” Travis Stidham said.  Stidham said he was not in favor of mobile home parks but urged citizens to come together.  “If we don’t do something, things are only going to get worse.  It will create a snowball effect.”

After hearing public comments, the zoning board took a vote to determine whether the proposed ordinance would be sent before the city council or be squashed, leaving the zoning board to start over.  Once it goes before the city council, the issue cannot be raised again for two years.

 A 4-1 vote in favor of the ordinance sent the ordinance before the city council.  Conflict of interest prevented three board members from voting, including  chairman Jim Link and Argo Mayor Paul Jennings.  Both own property in the proposed zoning area.  Public concern was raised that the passing of the ordinance would allow them to potentially make money by either selling property or allowing manufactured home owners to place their homes on the property.

The zoning board explained their responsibility to the public.  “We are trying to protect all the citizens of Argo,” zoning board member Billy Thompson said.  “We are trying to make it better.”

A majority of Argo residents expressed frustration with the outcome of the vote.  After the board closed the hearing, Scott Burton said,  “You all had your minds made up before you walked in here tonight.”

According to attorney Tracy Roberts of the Alabama League of Municipalities, residents have the right to file an appeal or hire an attorney to file a lawsuit.