Residents of an established subdivision of brick- and wood-built homes are up in arms about a zoning oversight that could bring a modular unit to their neighborhood.

Earline Clark, 69, a retiree who poured her life savings into her brick house in the Deerwood subdivision, said modular homes are trailers that will undoubtedly devalue her prized real estate.

“And I don’t have anything against trailers,” said Clark, “but they need to be where trailers are expected.”

Modular units are not allowed in the subdivision off Firetower Road, a few miles north of Interstate 10, which is zoned R-1. Homes must be built on-site unless a resident applies for a conditional-use permit, which hinges on the approval of the planning commission and neighbors from adjoining properties.

But a few weeks ago Harrison County zoning officials didn’t read the fine print of the site plan submitted by Phoenix Building & Development. With modular homes these days looking more and more like the real thing, the 1½-story home – five bedrooms and 2,800 square feet – slipped through the system.

“We regret that the situation occurred,” said planner Smokey Johnson. “We are taking measures to correct the problem.”

Johnson would not comment on the specifics of the case.

Phoenix President Bill Miller touts his “system-built” homes as being more structurally sound than any of those in Deerwood, and said he plans to meet with disgruntled neighbors in Gulfport, where his business has a show home.

The neighbors are judging the book by its cover, he said, adding Hancock Bank appraised the property for $299,000.

Sandy Medders, a resident of the subdivision and a Realtor, isn’t buying it. “It’s going to take people’s property values down,” she said. “Once there’s one, there’s going to be more. And that doesn’t belong here.”

Mike Purvis, a real estate appraiser since 1972, said if the property owner maintained the place well, it would be difficult to determine if the neighbors have a valid complaint.

“The average Joe couldn’t spot them and make an opinion as to what it would do to the neighborhood,” he said. “Appraisers have to prove it and it would be hard to prove,” especially when the price of the home gets to the $150,000 range.

The two units that would have been transformed into a home for Dennis Hartshorn and his wife are now sitting at the corner of Karly and Katie drives, with plans derailed after the county issued a “cease and desist” order. The case goes before the planning commission June 14.

Jenny Hartshorn said her son invested nearly $100,000 for the lot, home preparation and other preliminary costs. The couple’s Slidell, La., apartment was wiped out by Katrina and they wanted to move closer to their family.

“This is a fine home,” said Hartshorn, who also lives in Deerwood.

“I have no doubt in my mind.”

source : www.sunherald.com