P&Z Recommends 1,800 sq.ft. Homes
A handful of people attended the Jasper County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting last Thursday to express their concerns on two proposed text amendments.
The first was to raise the minimum square footage for new housing in the residential area from 1500 sq.ft. to 1800 sq.ft.
Chris Anderson, zoning administrator, explained the ordinance, as there were no copies available. He said the copy machine was out of toner.
Several people expressed concern that the larger square footage would pose a hardship on the elderly and others, and that some people do not need that much house.
{{more}}
Mrs. Ruby King Johnson said that as a single, older adult, she could not afford to get a 1800 sq.ft. house and she doesn’t need one. She also told of the hardship her granddaughter is facing trying to make a home in Jasper County.
Joseph McMichael commented that people starting out often can afford a 1800 sq.ft. home. He asked why not reduce the acreage requirement [in agricultural zoning districts] to three acres.
Mrs. Johnson commented, “Unless you’re rich you can’t afford to live here.”
Joe Lewis, a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, said “I don’t think we’re too far out of line.”
After considerable discussion, the board voted unanimously to recommend the amendment with changes from the original proposal. As written, it will only affect new, residential developments. Therefore, if the County Commission passes it, developers building subdivisions will be required to abide by the new 1800 minimum square footage requirement.
It will not apply to persons building on lots already in place in residential areas or to any of the areas zoned agricultural.
During the discussion, board members questioned more than once what is the county’s inventory of property available for homes under 1800 sq.ft.
The second text amendment under review was one that would prohibit the placement of mobile homes in residential zoning districts. Mr. Anderson said he had not been able to get any answers from the county’s legal counsel to questions raised last month. Board members went ahead and listened to citizen comments, but did not discuss the proposal, waiting instead to get direction from the attorney.
Several persons expressed concern about the proposed amendment, saying some people want or need to buy mobile homes.
Van Box who works for Horton Homes discussed with the commission a fairly new law which requires persons to acquire a deed for their mobile home when they place it on the property.
P&Z member Lee Holman said he wished people would do it. Mr. Box said it is the law. They instructed Mr. Anderson to go to the tax office and see how often it’s happening. Under the law, mobile homes would be taxed like site-built homes once they have a deed. They would be appraised and valued like a home, not like a car which is the old procedure.
Several people expressed concern about the proposed mobile home ordinance, and no action was taken.
P&Z members discussed looking at the Land Use Map and possibly designating some areas for rural residential. The RR requirement allows persons to build a home on three acres, but there are few areas in the county zoned RR.
Mr. Anderson stressed that both proposed text amendments apply only to residential zoning districts. The majority of the county is an agricultural zoning district.