Abbeville City Council makes changes to mobile home ordinance

New 15 year and older trailers and mobile homes will no longer be able to relocate in Abbeville because the Abbeville City Council voted to change the present mobile home ordinance.

Before Tuesday’s meeting, Abbeville had an ordinance pertaining to mobile and manufactured home. That ordinance, Section 11-14 reads: No mobile or manufactured home can be transported into or relocated within the city or installed within the city unless an installation permit has been obtained and permits will not be issued for any mobile or manufactured home which is greater than 20 years of age and or does not possess seal or label issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“That’s the way its stands right now,” City Attorney Ike Funderburk told the council during Tuesday’s meeting.

The Abbeville City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday at the meeting to make adjustments to that ordinance. The age limit to move into or relocate within the city is now 15 years or newer. In the past the council has issued variances on mobile homes that exceeded the 20-year mark. Variances will now only be issued on mobile homes older than 15 years if an emergency situation cane be proved.

Councilman Francis Plaisance originally suggested Tuesday that the age limit be moved from 20 to 10 years. Erath has a similar age restriction on mobile homes.

“That would in an effort to clean up our city and have all the areas and subdivisions be more presentable,” Plaisance said. “I think we need to be stricter on that policy. We will still be able to look at variances, I understand that. I would like to see us reduce our age level from 20 to 10 years. I know the city of Erath did exactly that. I think it’s a deterrent to having old trailers move into the city that are unsightly.”

Councilman Wayne Landry disagreed.

“I understand trying to beautify the city,” Landry said. “At the same time, there are a lot of unfortunate people who are just trying to get by and trying to have a home. We would have a lot of homeless people. You really have to look at that. The (Vermilion Parish) police jury upped theirs to 30 years to help people.

“I’m a people person. I understand beautifying the city but people also need a place to live. I think the 20 years is not fine.”

Plaisance said that number is a cause for concern.

“I understand what you are saying,” Plaisance told Landry. “But 20 years is not fine. This is where we are running into some problems. People are bringing these old, dilapidated trailers into the city. Some of them are fire hazards. I think 10 years is a deterrent. I think if someone really needs a home, and it fits the variance to bring it into the city, we will do that. I’m not asking for that to be changed.

“All I’m asking is to go from 20 to 10 years. I don’t think it will have an effect on people who really need a place to live.”

Councilman Francis Touchet offered to the council a compromise.

“We do want to better our city and improve things,” Touchet said. “I look at 20, where we are, and then I look at 10 and ask is that too much? Can we go to 15 years? I agree with Councilman Landry, we have make sure we are looking at helping people. I also understand Councilman Plaisance’s concerns.

“I think maybe we can find a happy medium between the two.”

Touchet offered a motion to reduce the age from 20 to 15. Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. gave a second to the motion. Touchet, Broussard and Landry voted in favor of the motion. Councilman Louis Joe Hardy and Plaisance voted against the measure.

Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza offered an addition to the change.

“To show that our intentions and that we are doing this for the correct reasons,” Piazza said, “I would like to see the council adopt the motion that we will no longer entertain an agenda item for a variance to the mobile home ordinance due to age, unless the individual can show dire need and an emergency situation. They need to prove, for example, that their home burnt down or destroyed, or that they truly are homeless.

“Yes, I think variances and exceptions should be made for people who really need it. But they should only be put on the agenda if they are in need with an emergency situation, not just anyone who wants to move a 30-year-old mobile home.”

Plaisance moved for a motion on the mayor’s suggestion. Touchet added a second. The council passed the motion with a 5-0 vote.

“It’s a good plan,” Plaisance said. “That was my intent with the 10 years.”