Planning Commission Discusses Mobile Home Parks Again

Mobile home parks have been allowed under the multi-family development permit process, even after the Mat-Su Borough Assembly eliminated the mobile home park ordinance in August. They could be placed on permanent foundations and still be acceptable in a multi-family development. But the Assembly’s intent was to eliminate the ability of mobile home parks to be built, whether on wheels or permanent foundations. 

The Commission’s recommended draft language classifies mobile homes as substandard dwellings, which are not permitted in multi-family developments. A single substandard dwelling is acceptable on a parcel. But a group of substandard dwellings is not. Borough Land Use and Planning Director Alex Strawn also clarified that stick-frame built tiny homes with permanent foundations would not be considered substandard. 

Initially, the Planning Commission weighed in on both the mobile home parks and multi-family development legislation prior to the Assembly’s decision in August. They suggested that the Assembly retain certain parts of both. The Commission recommended that the public still be allowed to weigh in, which was a component in the mobile home parks legislation, but not part of the multi-family development permit process. They also suggested keeping setback requirements and other features that are included in the multi-family development standards.

The Assembly did not take the recommendations of the Planning Commission in August when they eliminated the mobile home parks ordinance. Nor did they update the multi-family development permit process as suggested. However, the Assembly has now requested another review of the standards, which will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

The new Commission recommendations specifically prohibit mobile home parks from being built under any circumstances.