CBS 7 - Your Eye on West Texas

"Affordable" Midland Mobile Home Park Denied Permit To Build 1/15/13

Felicia Bolton
fbolton@ cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
January 15, 2012

MIDLAND, TX - A recent decision by the Midland Planning and Zoning Commission has stopped builders for “Stone Bridge Estates", a new mobile home park, in their tracks.

“ The planning and zoning commission held a public hearing and considered a request by Freedom Influence LLC for a specific use permit without term for a manufactured home park. That permit was denied unanimously by the Planning and Zoning Commission,’ stated Midland Public Information Officer Sarah Higgins.

Officials with the building company believe this was the wrong decision, especially when housing is so crucial in West Texas.

However during the meeting, many residents spoke out against the mobile home park. They were stating that the proposed sight at Fairgrounds and Tilden St has safety issues.

But the main problem commissioners noted was the cost. The mobile home park claimed to be affordable, but offered mobile homes starting at over $1,200 a month to rent.

Also the visuals seen on the company's website and the actual materials they planned to use in the park didn't match up. It’s a problem that the co-owner of Stone Bridge Estates doesn’t deny.

“There have been multiple improvements over the last several months in efforts to comply with city recommendations and therefore those changes will be corrected immediately,” stated Co-owner Brant Greathouse.

The co-owner said that the price is not a problem and they are only trying to help.

"We do not believe that it is the commissioners area of expertise to decide what is affordable and what isn't. However, based on research of comparable properties in Midland, the study shows that our rates, including amenities, are lower than the majority of 3bed and 4 bed room accommodations in Midland," said Greathouse.

Officials with the company are planning to speak with the city again in order to move forward with building.