Truesdale Close to Finalizing New Mobile Home Ordinance

Truesdale aldermen are in the process of changing regulations on mobile homes moved into the city, a decision that should allow a new residential project to proceed.

As part of the proposed ordinance reviewed at last Wednesday’s board of aldermen meeting, officials would delete any criteria defining a mobile home park that had been under consideration last month.

Regulations that were supported by aldermen included not issuing a permit for any modular or manufactured home or house trailer more than 10 years old, setting the minimum lot size at 5,000 square feet and requiring property owners to have two off-street parking places per mobile home rather than one.

Also, a mobile home must be anchored permanently within 15 days and be connected to the city’s water and sewer systems and have electrical service. It also must have skirting in place within 60 days of being moved into the city.

Aldermen last Wednesday voted 4-0 to have an ordinance drafted. The board is expected to adopt the new regulations at its next meeting on April 25.

Concerns had been raised by two property owners who attended the March 14 board of aldermen meeting and asked the city to reconsider proceeding with a proposed ordinance that would have classified two or more trailers on the same property as a mobile home park.

Representatives of Westplex Properties had recently purchased property consisting of seven city lots located on Smith Street. They said it was their intention to put one mobile home on each lot

But under the regulations city officials were previously considering implementing, the property owners would have been unable to proceed with adding more trailers on the property since one was already present and the 1.5-acre property was under the required 5 acres for a mobile home park.

Colombo to Remain 

Board President

Rhonda Colombo will remain board president after her nomination was approved by the board at the April 11 meeting.

Alderman Shalene Blackwood will serve as the city’s water commissioner and will continue to represent the city on the Transportation Advisory Committee.

Blackwood and Alderman Donald McGee also will be the city inspectors on city-issued permits, such as mobile homes and fences.

In Other News

• The city will spend $10,798 to purchase two in-car cameras for the police department. The expenditure, approved by a 4-0 vote, will include a GPS locator in the cameras and training for the department.

At a previous meeting, Police Chief Andy Huston said the cameras would be helpful as officers have conducted more traffic stops and would assist in the prosecution of criminal cases.

• A visual inspection was recently performed on the city’s two wells and water towers. A report will be forwarded to the city in the future.

• Mayor Murray Bruer signed a proclamation showing the city’s support for the Warren County Wednesdays, a concept that has been created to promote shopping locally.