Benson approves two special-use permits allowing two manufactured homes in the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction

The Benson Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 8 to recommend approval of two special-use permits that would allow manufactured homes to be placed on parcels in the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Interim Planning Director Paul Embler explained the permits are required by the Town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) when a manufactured home is placed in the ETJ. For SUP-2024-04 (Gerald Pozniak; owner Dawn Tarzia) the parcel is about 4.74 acres off Ivey Road; staff recommended approval provided the home be underpinned with masonry, have towing apparatus removed, and comply with NC Department of Insurance Manufactured Home Division requirements. The Planning Board had recommended approval, 5-0.

Attorney Sam Godwin, representing the Pozniak/Tarzia applicants, said the intent is for the daughter to live on the property and assist her parents, and that required county permits and sediment controls have been obtained. "The whole goal in this placement of the manufactured home is to have Ms. Tarzia move on the property and help assist her parents as a caretaker," Godwin said.

SUP-2024-05 (applicants Sarah and Joshua Roberts; owners James Dwight Denning and Tonya Denning Roberts) covers a larger 27.67-acre tract with one acre set aside for the home; Sarah Roberts testified about raising a young family there. Staff again recommended the standard UDO and state Manufactured Home Division conditions and the Planning Board had recommended approval. The Board found the required findings met and recommended approval of both special-use permits, each by a 6-0 vote.

Staff noted the usual permit steps still required: Town building permits, NCDOT driveway permits where the access is on state-maintained roads, and compliance with underpinning and title-surrender requirements prior to final placement.