Board grants variance allowing mobile home to be rented to non-family members; property owner speaks in support

The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Adjustment on Nov. 17 granted a variance allowing a mobile home to be occupied by non-family members on a property owned by Melissa Hester and Judy Perkins.

County staff explained the department had learned the mobile home was being rented to non-family members, a situation previously prohibited under older zoning rules. Staff described a prior situation in which previous owners lived in the mobile home while building the house and then sold the house under an understanding that the mobile home could be used in the interim; staff also said enforcement of a family-member restriction is difficult because the county lacks a reliable method to identify family relationships.

During public comment, property owner Melissa Hester identified herself and gave her address as 7022 Paradise Court, Bessemer, Alabama. Hester said she bought the property in April, that she believed it had been permitted for a non-family occupant, and that the current occupants are a younger couple whom she and her household consider family. "We bought the property back in April... we've taken them under our wings," Hester said, and she asked the board to allow the occupants to remain.

No opposition was recorded. A board member moved to approve the variance; the motion was seconded and the board voted to grant ADash250042. The chair said the variance had been granted and directed staff to provide the written decision in accordance with board procedures.

The variance allows the mobile home to be rented to non-family members on the subject property; any required health or sewer permits associated with the property must still be obtained.