P&Z Board--Mobile or Modular?

Residents of Quail Run Estates became alarmed several weeks ago with the delivery at Walnut Grove, nearby, of two sections of a modular home, shown here. Tuesday at the regular Planning & Zoning Board meeting, Dennis Hendrix of Southwind Homes in Muskogee explained how the modular homes are built.

"These are industrial built homes, 25 times stronger than a typical studded wall home, with more insulation," he said. "It's all about speed. We can build them quickly in our 130,000 square foot plant in Muskogee." A typical home owner will pay about $90 a square foot for a modular 1500 square foot home, he said.

After the two sections are lifted on a foundation, either slab or other, the roof and garage is added, and exterior walls are covered with brick or Hardy Board, or combination of both. "You can't tell the difference between our home and the rest of the homes in the subdivision," he said, and illustrated it with slides from a Kansas City project.

Several years ago Walnut Grove covenants prohibited modular homes but the covenants were changed recently to make them legal. City ordinances do not prohibit modular homes but do prohibit mobile homes in certain areas. Modular homes qualify for conventional home loans, while mobiles can be FHA only, the board was told. Modulars are installed on permanent foundations, while Mobiles can be moved. Modulars are also referred to as Manufactured Homes.

Chris Dudley, owner of Do-Right Automative off Highway 59, pleaded with the P&Z board to allow him to put up a direction sign on the highway, replacing one which was removed during utility construction. He was told to see the Acting City Manager.

No action was taken on the site plan of the new casino since no one appeared representing the casino project.