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El Mirage council permits modular homes in mixed-use and suburban zones, bars manufactured homes downtown
Summary
The council amended the zoning code (land use volume 2, chapter 154.052) to prohibit traditional manufactured homes in mixed-use (downtown) areas while allowing modular homes in mixed-use and suburban neighborhoods; the motion removed a conditional-use requirement recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The El Mirage Common Council voted unanimously May 6 to amend the zoning code (land use volume 2, chapter 154.052) to prohibit manufactured homes in the city’s mixed-use (downtown) areas while allowing modular homes in both mixed-use and suburban neighborhood zones as a permitted use. The change takes effect 30 days after adoption.
City planning staff presented background showing that modular, manufactured and mobile homes are distinct under state and local rules: mobile homes and older manufactured units differ from modular homes, which are factory-built and certified to meet state and local building codes. Staff noted manufactured homes had been permitted, prohibited and re-permitted in various zones over the last two decades. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended a compromise — denying manufactured homes in mixed-use, but retaining modular homes as a conditional use in suburban and mixed-use areas and adding a special allowance for modular multifamily construction.
During the council hearing several residents spoke. “Manufactured homes are built better than the homes that we are living in right now,” said resident Jim McPheeeters, urging the council to allow high-quality factory-built options. Other residents asked that homeowners associations remain able to enforce covenants.
Council discussion stressed affordable housing and quality control. Council member Norton McDaniel moved, and Council member Winston seconded, an amendment to staff and commission recommendations to allow modular homes as a permitted use rather than only as a conditional use; the motion passed unanimously. The adopted text amendment removes manufactured homes from the permitted list in the mixed-use zone while explicitly allowing modular dwellings in the mixed-use and suburban residential categories.
What this means: property owners and developers can pursue modular construction in downtown and suburban neighborhoods without a separate conditional-use process; traditional manufactured homes remain constrained to mobile-home-park and other previously designated areas. The Planning and Building department will update permit guidance and the consolidated permitted-use table to reflect the change.
