Local proprietors of Sorenson Rentals, Kaj and Carla Sorensen, want to make use of three empty lots on a piece of property they own within Milton city limits by adding mobile homes. However, they are not permitted to do so under the city’s Code of Land Ordinances with the property not being zoned to allow further nonconforming structures. According to the ordinance, Sorenson rentals are not permitted to add a single mobile home unit to the property. Elected officials will further discuss the issue since hearing about it in council.
The couple, who operate rental properties in Milton, Pace and Navarre, approached the council during this month’s regular council meeting after being notified by city staff to the city’s stance on nonconforming uses of structures.
Kaj Sorenson said he went to the city’s planning and zoning department with plans to add more mobile home units to the piece of property located off Alabama Street near the corner of Munson Highway. Section III – 11.4 of Milton’s Code of Ordinances states, “nonconforming use of land is not permitted to be enlarged, intensified or extended to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied at the effective date of the adoption or amendment of these regulations.”
“The law, as I read it, indicates that I cannot issue a permit for that,” said City Planner Randy Jorgenson. “The council could change what the code would indicate, but in order to do that they would have to change the law.”
The council unanimously voted to have the issue discussed at committee level before making any decision on the issue.
Sorenson said he and his wife are willing to work with the city while awaiting the council’s decision. In the mean time, Sorenson said his business suffers.
“I am losing $20,000 a year in gross income on three trailers,” Sorenson said.
In 2004, Sorenson said he acquired the property on which mobile home units were already in use. Since then, he said he has been paying property taxes unaware of the restrictions which come with the property.
While Sorenson can maintain the current mobile homes on the property, he is restricted from adding anymore manufactured housing units to the property or altering, improving or expanding any existing structures there.
“I have been paying all along and I have had no notification that this was going to be,” Sorenson said. “We want to work with the city and make sure that this is a nice property.”
Sorenson said his property allows another low income housing option to residents in need.
“Mobile home parks are a really viable option for low income families,” Sorenson said. ‘The bottom line is that we are offering a service that is really, really valuable for the county.”
In addition to already having properties zoned for manufactured homes, Jorgenson said the city also allows for low to moderate housing, including rental properties.
“We have homes that have been built in recent history with entry points of $130,000, $150,000 to $180,000,” Jorgenson said. “Those are price points that most people will find attractive.”
While agreeing with Council Member Jimmy Messick and his motion to send the topic to committee for discussion, Mayor Wesley Meiss said the council should conduct research before voting on any outcome.
“You want to be able to look at it and know the history,” Meiss said. “Let’s look at it and make the right decision.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Property owner decries city land code