Woodfin Town Council Eases Manufactured Housing Restrictions

Woodfin Loosens Manufactured Housing Rules

Woodfin Town Council eases restrictions on manufactured housing in certain parts of town

Woodfin Town Council recently voted to loosen rules surrounding manufactured housing in certain areas of town, including the section west of the French Broad River. The changes, approved at a March 19 meeting with a 6-0 vote, aim to create a zoning overlay district to offer more flexibility in the placement of manufactured homes.

New Regulations

Under the new regulations, single-wide manufactured homes are now permitted in parts of Woodfin that were previously restricted. This includes the area west of the river and east of Olivette Road, where residents have sought to de-annex from the town. The changes also allow for the installation of single- or double-wide manufactured homes without masonry skirting, as long as they use vinyl or other approved materials. Previously, only double-wide manufactured homes with masonry skirting were allowed in the town.

The town has also expanded the allowance for Class A manufactured housing in almost all residential zones within Woodfin town limits, with the exception of areas in the mountain village zone. However, any homeowner association or deed-restricted area can still enforce its own rules regarding housing types.

Response from Council Member

Council member Eric Edgerton explained that the decision to predominantly apply the zoning overlay to the west side of the river was based on the existing infrastructure. While the east side has water and sewer utilities in place, the west side lacks such amenities, making it challenging for institutional investors to develop housing stock. By allowing more flexibility with manufactured housing, the town hopes to stimulate further development in the area.

De-annexation Efforts

Chip Parton, who is spearheading the de-annexation efforts in the area west of the river, expressed appreciation for the town’s efforts to increase affordable housing options. However, he believes that the measures are insufficient to change residents’ minds about de-annexation. Parton emphasized the need for additional investments in infrastructure to address concerns such as fire safety and septic tank issues.

Stormwater Fee Resolution

In addition to the housing rule changes, Woodfin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution requesting the North Carolina General Assembly to consider legislation that would allow the town to lower its stormwater fee. The resolution seeks to enable the inclusion of the stormwater fee on residents’ property tax bills, a method already used by ten other municipalities in the state.

About 85% of property owners paid the 2023 stormwater fee, which was implemented to comply with a state-issued municipal stormwater permit. By aligning the stormwater fee with property taxes, the town could potentially increase compliance rates and reduce fees by about 15% without compromising revenue.

Conclusion

The recent changes in Woodfin’s manufactured housing rules and stormwater fee collection demonstrate the town’s commitment to addressing housing affordability and municipal services. While these measures aim to provide more options for residents and streamline fee payment processes, ongoing discussions and efforts are necessary to meet the evolving needs of the community.