by Alex Brooks
The Petersburgh Town Board and Planning Board met in a joint session on Monday, March 30 to discuss updating Petersburgh’s law governing manufactured housing. The meeting began with an on-screen presentation by Planning Board Chairman Frank Sheldon.
[private] The first knotty problem when discussing manufactured homes is to distinguish between different types of manufactured homes. Modular homes not designed to be transported are not regulated by this law, said Sheldon. Manufactured homes which are designed to be relocatable are covered by this law, as are recreational vehicles equipped for driving on the road. Finding the language to clearly distinguish between the various types of manufactured homes is difficult. This was demonstrated when Denise Church asked about a distinction Sheldon was making between “RV1” and “RV2” which wasn’t very clear in the first draft. Petersburgh Code Enforcement Officer Martin Conboy said the state has provided very specific definitions already, and it would cause less confusion if the Town law used those definitions by reference rather than writing new definitions of its own.
The law proposed by Sheldon requires that new manufactured home installations must meet HUD standards and State residential code. They must have the HUD red certification label; the foundations and skirts must meet current code; and they must be put in by a NYS licensed and certified installer.
The law goes on to say that replacement of an older mobile home must be with a unit less than 11 years old, and the unit must meet HUD and State Code requirements for manufactured homes. The foundation and skirt used with the replacement unit must meet current code, and it must be installed by a licensed and certified installer. It says, “installation of a replacement unit requires that all electrical, water and septic systems meet current standards.”
Sheldon also noted that any manufactured home built after 1976 cannot be modified or built onto except by a certified installer.
Some in the room seemed to feel that this law represents a radical change in requirements, and that many people in town might be surprised if these requirements were enforced. Be that as it may, the conversation about a revised manufactured home law is ongoing. The Town Board has directed the Town Attorney to draft a six month moratorium on mobile home installations. A Public Hearing on this will be held prior to the regular Town Board meeting on April 20.
Codes Enforcement Officer Martin Conboy urged the Boards to make reference to the residential code of New York State in their new law. This is the code that he is already using, because it is in force throughout New York State. A less restrictive local law does not exempt people from the requirement to follow State code. He urged the Town not to try to write requirements different from those already in effect by State law.
Neil Geary and Supervisor Krahforst both said they thought Sheldon had done a good job with the first draft, and now it is a matter of sending this draft to the County and to the Town Attorney to prepare a final draft. [/private]