Personal freedom, private property, and good feelings between neighbors is what you would expect to find in the tiny farming community of Howell, UT. Instead, what is brewing is a contentious situation between neighbors and friends as the Town Planning Commission assert that those living in mobile homes should have to be re-inspected and obtain a certificate of compliance or face removal by the town.
On April 8th, the town council met to discuss implementing ordinance Chapter 10 section 10-1, which asserts that “Mobile homes are considered by the town council to be less durable and less resistant to deterioration than are conventional homes”. During the meeting one citizen brought to the town council’s attention that St. George is facing a lawsuit for using a similar ordinance and that she consulted with an attorney in the Obudsman office. He confirmed that the town has no right to go in and inspect all the mobile homes. However, a building inspector may call for an inspection on a particular home based on its appearing dilapidated.
Councilman Tuck also used the public portion of the meeting to state that to inspect all the mobile homes is a violation of 4th Amendment rights and he would not support the town in this. During the meeting, Councilman Tuck also encouraged the town council to reduce contention and to advocate for all the town’s people with valid and fair laws.
Mayor Hawkes asserted that he has received complaints concerning three unoccupied mobile homes that have deteriorated and are an eyesore. Councilman Grant suggested that they “be human and just go talk to them”. Councilman Tuck agreed, stating that given the size of the town the owners could be directly contacted and an offer be made to help them clean up the property. Mayor Hawkes agreed that perhaps a friendly letter might be best and discussion ensued on what to include in the letter.
After much heated debate, the matter was tabled until May. The council seemed to be stiffly divided with Councilman Andersen and Nessen contending that the mobile homes are not only an eyesore but a safety issue as well. Councilman Tuck and Grant both stood firm that this falls under private property and should be left alone. All agreed however that to call for inspection of all mobile homes would be going too far and that if anything was addressed, it would be unoccupied mobile homes “at this time.”
