COUNCIL GIVES GO-AHEAD TO MOBILE-HOME REQUEST

The Cape Girardeau City Council made a sensible choice Monday night in giving preliminary approval to plans for a double-wide mobile home in a residential area of conventionally built houses.

The City Council has long exercised its option to issue special-use permits in such cases. This process allows the city's elected officials to make such decisions on a case-by-case basis. These decisions take into account such factors as surrounding development, property values and the willingness of neighbors to accept mobile homes.

In this case, there were no objections from nearby property owners. And, as Mayor Al Spradling III said, granting the special-use permit in this instance doesn't mean the council would do the same thing in other neighborhoods.

It is good that the City Council has maintained its authority to examine the situation and make a choice that is in the best interests of the city while still addressing the needs for affordable housing.

Mobile homes these days tend to look like conventionally built houses after they are put in place on foundations. The construction of mobile homes also has been upgraded over the years to make them safer and more energy efficient.

While there are many neighborhoods where mobile homes wouldn't be appropriate, in this case it appears the City Council has considered the facts and given a green light.