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Council approves changes to manufactured-home and townhouse rules after public comment and staff clarifications
Summary
Following public comments urging correction of planning-commission language and staff confirmation that revisions were incorporated, Richland County Council approved a third-reading ordinance amending Chapter 26 to update standards for manufactured homes and townhouses.
Richland County Council approved an amendment to Chapter 26 of the county’s land-development code affecting manufactured homes and townhouse standards after hearing public comment and staff clarifications on Feb. 3.
Two residents raised concerns during a public hearing about how the planning commission’s recommended language was reflected in council documents. Kim Murphy urged council to defer final reading until the language matched the planning commission’s motion and raised implementation concerns for property owners if text differences remained. “There’s a big difference there, and I ask that you defer the final reading until the correct language can be added,” Murphy said.
Jakema (Yakema) Smith said she has been waiting more than a year for a decision that will determine what she can do with her own property and asked for clarity.
Deputy Director Geo Price and other planning staff addressed the council during debate on the ordinance. Price told council that staff had reviewed the planning commission minutes and incorporated the commission’s language; council members noted those edits appear in blue text in the packet. “We went through the minutes of the planning commission... that is what you see reflected in the blue font before you,” Price said.
After discussion and confirmation by staff that the planning commission changes were reflected in the draft before council, the third-reading ordinance on manufactured homes was approved by roll-call vote. Council also approved, on second reading, establishment of a countywide Board of Architectural Review (currently applicable to the Olympia overlay). Staff stressed the board would administer architectural standards associated with overlays and would not enforce private homeowners’ association covenants.
Effect: The ordinance changes become effective following the county’s normal post-enactment procedures (no additional budget appropriation occurred during the Feb. 3 meeting). Residents who spoke said they seek clearer guidance on how the ordinance will be implemented in existing subdivisions; staff indicated the revised language aligns with the planning commission’s direction.
