Perrin explained the effects of mobile homes in Union Springs – Union Springs Herald

By Faye Gaston

Joyce L. Perrin, Vice Chairman of the Union Springs Planning Commission, provided in-depth public comments regarding the petitions for "conditional use" of mobile homes in the City of Union Springs.

Her complete written explanation was included in the minutes of the August 3, 2020, public hearing. She explained how mobile homes affect property values and tax bases. Perrin has been a resident of Union Springs for eighteen years. She has served on the Union Springs Planning Commission for several years and attended classes concerning the duties of members of the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission decided the 1996 Comprehensive Plan needed updating. So a new in-depth Comprehensive Plan was developed.

In 2012 Auburn University assisted in the planning. Public meetings were held. The first ones were conducted by Auburn University (Downtown Revitalization) and later ones by SCACA (Comprehensive Plan).

All were well attended by the public. Most concerns expressed were about run-down stick-built homes and mobile homes. Mixing these structures caused concern for lowering property appraisals when sales and taxes occurred.

There was the cost of removing metal/mobile home structures once their life expectancy was complete. The Comprehensive Plan was completed between 2012-2014 with SCADC assistance.

The Planning Commission spent weeks holding public meetings during the zoning map changes. The new zoning map was evaluated with SCADA (state agency).

Three active mobile home parks were located in the city and these were designated as the proper place for mobile homes to create "like property" appraisals. The other alternative was to prohibit mobile homes in the city. It was understood that all mobile homes would be located in these three mobile home parks or outside the city limits.

It was never intended to consider a "conditional use" of mobile homes in the city, nor mixing stick-built homes and mobile homes in zoning areas of R3, R2, or R1 housing.

These presently petitioning for "conditional use" of mobile homes have not attempted to secure placement in a local mobile home park or secure a lot outside the city limits.

Perrin feels she must follow the directives of city residents during the planning meetings for the Comprehensive Plan. If these petitions for "conditional use" continue, she feels compelled to make a motion to amend city ordinances to not allow mobile homes in the city limits, "as this is done in many incorporated cities due to loss of tax base and lower property values."

Perrin said before she moved to Union Springs, she had lived in mobile homes for over twenty years, both old and new, in cities and un-zoned counties.

It was understood that by local city zoning commissions you would locate your mobile home in a mobile home subdivision or mobile park so that stick home values would not diminish.

She gave a personal history of being an Appraiser, Broker, Auctioneer, and Developer in the business of Real Estate. She gave examples of her work in these areas in the City of Guntersville, Alabama. Joyce Perrin is the owner of Promiseland Realty & Development located at 126 Prairie Street in downtown Union Springs.

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Perrin explained the effects of mobile homes in Union Springs - Union Springs Herald