Joel Chapman’s request for a variance to place a 2004 manufactured home on residential one-acre (R10A) property located off of Centennial Blvd. east on 18th or 19th South was approved last week by the Snowflake Town Council.
Chapman noted that there was a dirt road going to his property that was in very bad shape, so he purchased a tractor and the rock, and improved the road.
Planning and Zoning/Building Administrator Dale Call explained that currently there is a single wide manufactured home on the property that Chapman wants to replace with a newer double wide home. He noted that Chapman worked hard to save enough money to purchase a home, but found the price for new homes to be too expensive, so they found a used double wide manufactured home for sale by a private seller.
Call advised the council that the home is in excellent condition, and the cost was less than half the price of what they were finding at the dealership. The Chapmans did ask the dealer about the requirements to place the home on their property, and were told that the home met all of the town’s requirements.
They purchased the home for cash, and then proceeded to acquire the permits to move and place the home on their property. It was at that time they realized they lived in Snowflake, not Taylor.
At that point the Planning and Zoning Department informed the Chapmans that the town code required a home that was no more than seven years old.
“The Chapmans were devastated by the news,” said Call, because they could not get a refund on their purchase. He advised them to apply to the Planning and Zoning Commission and town council for a variance.
A neighbor provided a written statement of support for the Chapmans in their efforts to put in the newer home.
The commission recommended approval of the variance.
The council unanimously approved it.
