Since the 1960’s Haines has not allowed mobile homes or RVs as residences outside of permitted mobile home or RV parks. Why? Because they do not age well. They are impermanent. Yet, all these years, Borough code has allowed impermanent structures such as tents, teepees, and yurts as residences. This inconsistency in code was the reason the Planning Commission wrote an ordinance that would have prohibited impermanent structures as primary residences in the Townsite. Unfortunately, this intent was not communicated to the Assembly, and we ended up with an ordinance that wasn’t what the Planning Commission had written.
The ordinance does not discriminate against low income, first time home buyers.The Planning Commission and the Housing Committee recognize how difficult it is for young people to get established here. We are working on solutions.
Contrary to popular opinion, yurts are not cheap. The materials for a similarly sized frame cabin cost less, and you end up with a permanent structure. The warranty on the skin of the yurt is only 10 years (Pacific Yurts website). They are impermanent. If you can put together a yurt kit, you can learn to build your own cabin. It will be a much better long term investment.
Rob Goldberg
Haines Borough Planning Commission and Housing Committee Member