Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council restricts mobile homes

New restrictions have been put into place concerning the placement of mobile homes in the city of Gurdon. The Gurdon City Council approved an ordinance calling for the restrictions during its meeting on Monday, June 25.

"The city is not, in and of itself, trying to outlaw mobile homes in the city," Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin said.

He said the city is simply trying to keep recently cleared lots in good condition.

Franklin cited one instance  prior to the current city clean-up effort  on which the city cleared away a dilapidated house. Not long after the structure was removed, the property owner moved in a mobile home that was also in poor condition, he said.

"Our purpose is just to make Gurdon look better," he said.

In continuing to improve the looks of the city, Franklin said the city could "be in a shape to take advantage" of any future industrial opportunities that may arise from the Clark County strategic planning process.

Before presenting the ordinance for the council to consider, Franklin described for the members of the public in attendance some of the proposed requirements.

"We want it to be a permanent structure," he said.

Tthe ordinance states that all manufactured homes moved into the city must have all transport elements removed, and it must be placed on a permanent foundation.

"We want it to be compatible with a neighborhood," he said.

To make the homes compatible, Franklin said the must be facing the same direction as other houses on the street, and the siding must match others in the neighborhood.

Those wanting to move a mobile home into the city must first obtain a $50 permit from Gurdon City Hall. When applying for the permit, the owner must provide documentation as to the mobile homes age.

All mobile homes must also have a pitched roof, among other specifications.

Franklin said homeowners who have mobile homes already in town will be "grandfathered in."

"We wont change anything thats in place," he said.

The council approved the ordinance unanimously and adopted the emergency clause that causes it to go into effect immediately.

Several members of the community were in attendance for the meeting and voiced their support of the measure during a public comment period.

"Its a great, great second step to put a new face on the city of Gurdon," Billy Tarpley said. "We know weve got a lot to offer.

Tarpley said he was once an elected official in Gurdon and is proud that the current elected officials are taking positive steps to clean up the town.

James Dickerson Jr. recently purchased a mobile home park on Arkansas 53 near the Dollar General Store. He voiced concern that the new ordinance could cause problems with his plans to clean up that park and move in additional homes.

"Youre just improving a situation thats already there," Franklin told him. "I whole-heartedly approve of what youre talking about doing."

Franklin said he is excited about the success the city has had in cleaning up properties all over town. He said he has heard of several instances in which property owners are taking steps to clean their lots before the city gets to them. He said that is because the people have learned that the city means business.

"We really do intend to clean up this town," he said. "Im tickled to death at how its going."