Residents urge Jal council to block 'man camp' trailers, push for family housing

Several residents spoke during public comment at the City of Jal special meeting on Sept. 18, urging the council to prevent multi-occupancy, 'man camp' style trailer housing on three lots near the Thornton addition and to prioritize family housing.

Eugene Immel, a Sandy Lane resident, asked the council to clarify the 'Signor' transaction and said he had been told a developer planned to move in "about 6 trailer houses" across from his property. "They go talk to her all the time and tell her the same thing, so I just wanted clarification from you guys," Immel said.

Shawn Locklar, who identified himself as a Sandy Lane resident with grandchildren in the neighborhood, appealed to the council to focus on family-oriented services and housing rather than oil-field worker housing. "I think this town needs to be more family oriented quit doing so much for the oil field...Housing for family, anything for families," Locklar said, adding concern for children who play near the road.

Jenny Edwards, who said she just bought property on Sandy Lane and expects to build within two years, asked the council to ensure the three lots host single-family residential units rather than trailers subdivided into multiple rooms. "To me that is considered 3 trailers with 6 individual rooms each that is considered a small man camp," Edwards said, asking the council to confirm enforcement of "residential" use rather than transient worker housing.

Rebekah Willis thanked City staff and council for responsiveness and praised recent improvements to city upkeep, and she invited council members to a community 'feed the teens' church event scheduled the next day.

None of the public commenters indicated the property owners or any developer spoke at the hearing. The council did not record a vote or adopt a specific policy in response during the meeting; residents asked the council to follow up and enforce existing trailer and zoning rules.