Biloxi may allow some 'Mississippi Cottages'

The Sun Herald reports on a measure being considered in Biloxi, Mississippi:

"Old mobile homes could be replaced by newer Mississippi Cottages if the City Council passes an ordinance tonight allowing cottages to be brought into the city.

"Councilman David Fayard proposed the change to the city’s Mississippi Cottage ordinance to allow them in areas zoned for mobile homes.

“'When we adopted the original ordinance we made it that you could not bring in any MEMA cottages not already in Biloxi,' he said. Except in areas zoned for mobile homes, that still applies.

"Originally designed by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as temporary housing and an alternative to travel trailers after Hurricane Katrina, the cottages eventually were allowed to remain in Biloxi and other cities across the Coast.

“'These are built better, look nicer and hopefully last longer,' Fayard said."

“'All this does is treat MEMA cottages as if they are mobile homes,' he said."

A reader sent a retort to the newspaper, noting that if the cottages can withstand 150 mph winds and exceed the standards of mobile homes (both of which they in fact do), "why don't they just call them Houses and be done with it?"

If the cottages, which were a response to ideas generated in the Mississippi Renewal Forum in October 2005, were allowed wherever houses are permitted, they could be used in much more of the city.