Council introduces variance for Dorothy Bridgewater to place manufactured home on undersized lot; public hearing set Aug. 11

The Tangipahoa Parish Council on July 28 introduced TP Ordinance 25-21, a requested variance to allow placement of a manufactured/mobile home on Dorothy Bridgewater's parcel (assessment 2686708 in District 8) despite the lot being smaller than the parish's minimum size for such placement. The planning commission had recommended denial. The matter will return for a required public hearing on Aug. 11.

Dorothy Bridgewater addressed the council, saying she has lived on the property for about 50 years and described the existing Jim Walter home as uninhabitable: she said the floors were failing, the house has leaks, the front portion lacked electricity and she could not afford full replacement. She said she sought to remove the existing structure and place a small two-bedroom manufactured home on the parcel.

Council members questioned whether state or local rules restrict replacing an existing house with a manufactured home and whether the lot met minimum acreage and frontage standards. Tracy (staff) advised that current code requires larger lots and that the planning commission recommended denial. After discussion, Councilman Wells moved to approve introduction of the variance; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. The chair clarified the vote at this meeting was introduction only; the required public hearing and final vote will occur on Aug. 11.

The transcript records at least two recorded "no" votes during the roll call on the motion to introduce (one by Miss Hyde and one recorded as "Missy Attat" in the roll call); the chair announced the motion passed. The planning commission's recommendation of denial was explicitly noted during the discussion.

The council and staff directed that the item be placed on the Aug. 11 agenda for the public hearing and final decision.