Emergency moratorium expected on building permits

The emergency moratorium would halt construction of duplexes like these on North 14th East Street until the City Council can develop an ordinance that would improve design standards and requirements.

Many construction projects in Mountain Home will be impacted this year by an emergency moratorium on the issuance of building permits that is expected to be approved by the City Council on Friday.

As the community experiences growing pains and city leaders seek time to find solutions, the moratorium would affect the "issuance of building permits for all dwellings except single family detached dwellings within the City of Mountain Home", based on language in the proposed ordinance.

The Council has been working on developing improved standards for multifamily residential dwellings this past year, prompted by citizen concerns that the density of these housing units negatively affect their property values and make the neighborhoods where they are located less appealing.

During a recent public comment period at a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, city resident Connie Powers remarked that "when I come out of my front yard now I look down and I see a row of these duplexes that just looks like 'the projects'. They are nicely built, they are working on it, but they are so close together and it's just not very sightly."

One other resident, Evelyn Wells, made comments at the meeting.

Powers was referring to a proposed subdivision off of North 14th East Street, Pippin Heights, that was tabled by the Commission until May 22nd. This project and several others would be affected by the emergency moratorium.

Typically, when the Council proposes an emergency moratorium, they publicize a notice giving citizens the opportunity to offer comments at a public hearing.

This ordinance was proposed at a budget hearing on Wednesday evening in which Council members disagreed on the urgency and the need to allow the public to comment.

Councilman Mark Russell said, "I don't want this ram-rodded through the midnight hour. Although I support it, it doesn't give the public a chance to speak", requesting that the ordinance be discussed at the next regular Council meeting.

Councilman Tom Rist countered with, "The problem with that is between now and the 29th all [building] permits must be honored."

"This would put a burden on people with lower income..." Russell persisted.

Council President Alain Isaac sustained Rist, "There has been a public outcry...the public is speaking...read the P & Z minutes. We don't have control over it."

The moratorium would be in effect for not longer than 182 days, giving the Council time to develop an ordinance regarding design standards for duplexes, triplexes and four plexes in residential subdivisions.

City planner Sarah Cripe said that development of the new ordinance was "on a fast track" and they hoped to have it completed within thirty days.