HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville officials have initiated discussion about the presence of manufactured homes in city neighborhoods, with new legislation dictating that these structures are now permitted to be built in all housing zoning districts alongside “traditional” housing.
Tom Britton with Community Development Services told the Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole that qualified manufactured housing, or double wide’s, are permitted within the city, however they are subject to a series of compatibility requirements. The new bill forces the city to reevaluate that criteria. Britton said, “In certain situations, just depending on the location and type of manufactured housing, it can be detrimental to property values for adjacent stick-built structures,”
This Kentucky-wide change from the General Assembly comes from House Bill 160, which will be in effect on July 1. It will require nine amendments to sections of the Hopkinsville Zoning Code in order to comply.
The amendment to KRS 100.348 says, “The Kentucky General Assembly hereby recognizes and affirms that while local governments have legitimate authority to enact reasonable zoning regulations, the provision of quality, affordable housing through qualified manufactured homes serves an essential public purpose.”
What is a manufactured home, next steps
“Manufactured housing comes in different sizes and shapes,” said Britton while defining what falls under the category. Qualified manufactured housing consists of double wide’s that have been built in the last five years and have a minimum width of 20 feet and a minimum living area of 900 square feet. Other more customized, modern manufactured homes feature different roof lines, porches, and possibly a garage.
Britton explained that a “mobile home” refers to structures that were built prior to 1976, which do not meet current standards. These are prohibited within the city limits with only a few exceptions made.
The amendment dictates that a local government cannot adopt or enforce any zoning regulations, ordinance, or other requirement that excludes or discriminates against manufactured homes. No official recommendations have been made by CDS at this time, but they are looking at the possibility of establishing some minimum compatibility criteria that apply to all single-family structures in the city to protect property values.
This could include criteria like orientation to the front street, as a lot of manufactured homes end up being placed sideways due to the size of lots. Other options include criteria for roof pitch and foundation along with room for exceptions.
Britton said CDS should have a more solid recommendation in the next coming weeks, with a public hearing scheduled to discuss the amendments. Other municipalities in Christian County, such as Oak Grove, will also have to review their zoning code.
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