(a) The creation of manufactured home parks after the adoption of this chapter is not allowed in the town. Existing manufactured home parks at the time of adoption of this chapter may remain subject to the requirements of this section, but neither the size of the parcel on which the existing manufactured home park is located nor the number of manufactured homes located in the manufactured home park shall be increased.
(b) In manufactured home parks, manufactured homes may be replaced within one hundred (180) days of the removal of the home by only Class A manufactured homes that meet the provisions of Section 9-3084 and other applicable provisions.
(c) Manufactured homes, because of their use, transportability, manufacture, and manner of construction, location, and susceptibility for use in high-density concentration both as units and persons tend to place inhabitants of manufactured homes in an unfavorable position to obtain services necessary for a safe and healthful living environment. It is the purpose of this section to provide protection for the public against unwise and hazardous existing manufactured home parks and provide a reasonably safe and sound environment for manufactured home park inhabitants and to:
(1) Promote public health, safety, welfare, and orderly residential development;
(2) Ensure that every individual manufactured home lot (stand) has safe and efficient vehicular access for residents of the home, emergency vehicles, utility and service vehicles, and others needing access to the park;
(3) Provide adequate buffering and screening to ensure privacy and protection for both the residents in the park and adjacent property owners;
(4) Provide sufficient open space for outdoor uses essential to the manufactured home;
(5) Ensure the furnishing of adequate water supply and sewage disposal systems;
(6) Provide an acceptable environment for small communities of manufactured homes; and
(7) Provide a process by which existing manufactured home parks will be improved to meet the minimum level of safety, sanitation, comfort, and privacy.
(d) All persons operating a manufactured home park that existed at the time of adoption of this chapter must submit an improvement proposal for the park (as provided herein) to be reviewed by the Planning Board and approved by the Town Council. Upon approval of the improvement proposal by the Town Council, alterations to the park as required may begin. The proposal shall indicate how the requirements listed herein will be met.
(1) Phased schedule for improvements. The improvement proposal shall conform to the improvement requirements listed herein within the following phased schedule.
a. Within six (6) months of notification, the property owner shall submit and have approved an improvement proposal, including schematic plans, for upgrading the park.
b. Within one (1) year of adoption of this chapter, all roads shall be stabilized with packed gravel if not already paved.
c. Within three (3) years of adoption of this chapter, all other requirements listed herein shall be complied with, including the paving of roads.
(2) Contents of the improvement proposal. Application to improve and upgrade a manufactured home park shall be made to the Planning Director. The application shall consist of schematic plans and documentation that include at least the following:
a. Name of the manufactured home park, name, and address of owner and operator.
b. A manufactured home park design is drawn onto a plat at a scale that can be reasonably interpreted by the town.
c. Date, north arrow, and scale.
d. Boundaries of the manufactured home park property to include intersections and adjacent property with the boundaries of the manufactured home park property.
e. The location of the following utilities: sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water distribution lines, natural gas, telephone, and electric service, illustrating connections to existing systems. Plans for the continued water supply and/or sewage disposal must be accompanied by letters of approval by appropriate town, county, and state authorities.
f. Existing streets in the park, right-of-way, and proposed pavement widths. If any street is proposed to intersect with a state-maintained road, the plat shall be accompanied by an application for driveway approval if required by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
g. Outline of all existing home spaces and buildings within the manufactured home park property with lot numbers indicated.
h. Location of parking bays, walkways, service and accessory buildings, utility easements, utility poles, and buffer and screening areas.
i. Method of sewage disposal per existing town, county, and state regulations.
j. Method of water Supply per existing town, county, and state regulations.
k. Plan of electric lighting.
l. Development standards.
(3) Required improvements. The following improvements to the manufactured home parks shall be completed within three (3) years of the date of adoption of this chapter.
a. All manufactured homes that are placed in manufactured home parks shall have the entire perimeter of each home enclosed from the ground to the bottom of the structure with material manufactured for this purpose following standards set by the State of North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured/Mobile Homes. Examples of commonly recognized building materials suitable for use as underpinning shall include, but not be limited to, the following list: brick masonry, concrete block masonry covered with stucco; natural or synthetic stone masonry; or vinyl. Assemblies, products, and materials manufactured expressly for underpinning shall be installed following the manufacturer's specifications.
b. A densely planted buffer strip consisting of evergreen trees, at least three (3) feet in height at planting, shall be planted along the rear and side property lines of the manufactured home park. No such buffer shall extend into a street right-of-way. The park owner and operator shall be responsible for replacing dead or destroyed trees.
c. Each home space of the manufactured home park shall be at least eight thousand (8,000) square feet. Areas used for interior streets shall not be used in calculating the required minimum area for each home.
d. A minimum distance of twenty (20) feet shall be provided between each manufactured home.
e. Manufactured homes shall have at the front entrance either a deck or porch with steps. All other entrances shall have permanent steps. The minimum area for decks and porches shall be one hundred (100) square feet. Decks, porches, and steps must be built in compliance with the North Carolina Building Code.
f. All interior streets shall be paved according to North Carolina Department of Transportation specifications for a public street.
g. A paved turning circle shall be provided at the end of each dead-end street. The diameter of the paved area shall be at least eighty (80) feet.
h. Two paved parking spaces shall be provided for each manufactured home. Each parking space shall have a length of eighteen (18) feet and a width of nine (9) feet.
i. An identification sign stating the name and address of the manufactured home park shall be erected at the main entrance. Such a sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in surface area.
j. The owner or operator shall display house or lot numbers for each home in the park. The house or lot number may be attached to the home or posted at the front of the home. (Ord. of 1/10/05; Ord. of 12/6/10; Ord. of 6/28/21)