St. Mary CAA turns 45; announces new grant program
April 25, 2012
Naquin 8th Lafourche student named to BESE since 1997
April 25, 2012The City of Franklin is moving in mitigating blighted and dilapidated property.
City Inspector Blake Steiner believes that blighted structures and dilapidated mobile homes are keeping Franklin from being eyed as an area for potential growth.
Steiner said the city has 71 blighted structures and 18 dilapidated mobile homes that, “are currently discouraging growth and development.”
However, he said that since Jan. 2011, the Franklin’s Department of Planning and Zoning has been aggressive in combating the problem and has been tracking and attempting to identify and mitigate blighted housing.
“It has always been the goal of the mayor and his administration to promote growth in the City of Franklin,” Steiner said. “However blighted property discourages growth because it destroys property values. We want you to know that our effort in this is continuing.
“I’ve spoken to every real estate agent in the city, and they all agree. If we want growth, we need empty lots. We will meet this need, by our continuing this effort to identify and mitigate these structures, with your approval.”
Steiner added that another problem is the purchase of dilapidated mobile home structures, both within and moving into the city.
“Within the last six months, I’ve seen four instances where people are buying mobile homes for as little as $200,” he said. “They live in them until it becomes virtually impossible for them to do so, then they leave the home abandoned to purchase another. And so on, and so on.
“And it’s a difficult problem, because most of the time, the owner of the mobile home and the owner of the property are two different people. All of these situations just have a negative effect on the city.”
Steiner believes the city is now at a point where the council needs to pass an ordinance with structure regulations on mobile homes, more so those moving into the city. He also believes Franklin needs to tweak its zoning ordinance.
Councilman Eugene Foulcard said he has no problems with a mobile home ordinance, provided it is “fair and non discriminatory.”
“We need not be capricious in this, to make it look like to people, ‘Ha Ha, we got you,’” Foulcard said.
Steiner explained that other cities give older mobile homes life spans within their ordinances.
He said Abbeville regulates older mobile homes for 20 years. Erath has a 10-year regulatory period.
“In short, if you live in a mobile home, and the city deems it suitable, you’re OK. In fact, this ordinance will not affect you,” Steiner said. “This proposed ordinance needs most importantly, to apply to mobile homes moving into the City of Franklin. What I am saying is this, the last thing Franklin wants to become, is a haven for blighted property. It breeds crime and all sorts of abandonment issues, including dangers to young children, and the homeless, and right now, we’re constantly behind the eight ball in our efforts.”
Foulcard agreed.
“I know we need to safeguard property values,” he said.
Councilman Dale Rogers also expressed his support for the movement.
“Frankly, I think our mobile home ordinance does not take into consideration structures moving into the city,” he said.
Steiner said another tool to manage blighted property is zoning.
“I hope to tweak our zoning ordinance and have recommendations to you by this summer,” he said.
