Sylva planners suggest new limits for modular homes in R-1 residential districts

By Lynn Hotaling

After debating the matter for almost an hour, members of Sylva's appointed planning board voted to recommend a change in the town's zoning ordinance that would require any future modular homes constructed in the town's R-1, R-1A and R-1B residential districts to meet certain appearance guidelines. That recommendation is expected to be presented to Sylva's Town Board Thursday, Feb. 6.

Planning officials also will ask Sylva board members to extend a 120-day moratorium on modular housing in R-1 districts until the zoning ordinance can be amended to include appearance guidelines for modular homes in R-1districts.

Sylva officials enacted the moratorium Oct. 31 after a group of Possum Holler residents submitted a petition objecting to the planned construction of several such homes that they say resemble doublewide trailers.

Possum Holler, which is bounded by Morris and King streets, is zoned R-1, a classification that prohibits mobile homes but allows modular housing. Neighbors objected to the appearance of a modular home built last year by Morris Street residents Jack and Marian Garrett because it has the appearance of a doublewide trailer.

The Garretts have secured a permit to construct an additional modular home.

Town board members said when they enacted the moratorium that they wanted to give the planning board time to revisit the issue and refine the description of the types of modular homes permitted in R-1 districts.

However, instead of redefining what a modular home is, members of the planning board proposed adding a list of guidelines such homes must meet and authorizing town zoning administrator Jim Aust to make case-by-case judgments of whether a particular home will be allowed. Any property owner who disagrees with Aust's decision could appeal it to the planning board, Aust said.

Planning officials authorized Aust and town attorney Eric Ridenour to formulate a list of guidelines to be presented to the town board.

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