Walhalla board deadlocks on manufactuired home appeal

The issue last evening at Walhalla City Hall was whether two builders would get the zoning change needed to place a new manufactured home in the area of 300 E-N Broad Street, not far from the fire department.  David McMahan and his partner, Scott Arnold, sought a special exception to the zoning law.  But the Board of Appeals voted 2-2 on the request, and Chairwoman Nancy Morgan pronounced the outcome “a dead vote.”  Two members of the audience spoke—one in favor, one opposed.  The opponent, Donna Young, said she and her husband have worked to try to keep their property nice-looking, but she complained there are many dilapidated trailers nearby and she fears a new manufactured home at 300 E-N Broad will deteriorate over the years if the occupants don’t keep it up.  But McMahan said he and Arnold intend to place a “nice and neat” manufactured home there and did not rule out the possibility that they might build a stick-built house instead.  Walhalla zoning administrator James Ashton told the board a stick-built house there would not require an exception to the zoning law.  McMahan and Arnold received support from Walhalla resident A-D Boggs, who said a new manufactured home could mean up to $500 dollars a year in taxes to the city and county, whereas the vacant property now brings in only $7 dollars a year.  Boggs urged the board to remember that many low income people can’t afford brick-style houses.  The board vote went this way: Chairwoman Morgan and Brittany Davis in favor; John Cox and Betty Hoadley opposed.