Housing: Developing, enforcing codes requires some balance

Most of us aren't too concerned about rules and regulations regarding building codes or where mobile and manufactured homes go -- unless it's in our neighborhood.

Right now, anyone who wants to have a manufactured home -- one built in a factory and transported to your lot -- in Cape Girardeau must obtain a special-use permit. The city has granted these permits in the past.

But recently the planning and zoning commission unanimously turned down such a request, citing the lack of clear guidelines about when such permits should or should not be issued.

The city is revising and updating its codes, a process that is likely to give officials better guidelines.

Meanwhile, a tour of the North Fountain Street neighborhood where Alfred Farrar wants to replace his home of 40 years with a manufactured home leaves the impression that a quality house from a factory, placed on a basement foundation, would be an upgrade over much of the existing housing in the area.

If the city's intent with its code revisions is to bar all manufactured homes or restrict them to certain parts of town, then rejecting this request for a special-use permit would appear equitable. But if the new codes are likely to continue the special-use permit process, this request should be weighed on its impact on the neighborhood and acted on accordingly.

Maintaining housing standards in Cape Girardeau neighborhoods is a good thing. Allowing homeowners to upgrade to better homes -- even manufactured ones -- also is a good thing.