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Workforce housing committee offers ADUs, tiny homes and cluster housing as possible tools; commissioners debate feasibility
Summary
The planning commission’s workforce housing committee presented recommendations including accessory dwelling units, tiny-home communities and reduced lot sizes. Commissioners discussed demand, jobs, risks of short‑term rentals and a plan to produce a draft ADU ordinance by next month.
The Matthews County Planning Commission’s workforce housing committee presented a slate of suggested policy changes and development types Wednesday aimed at increasing housing options, and the commission agreed to move quickly on an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance.
Committee member Francis Reiner told commissioners the group’s recommendations include expanding allowances for accessory dwelling units, promoting small‑footprint “tiny” homes (committee discussion defined tiny homes as roughly 600 square feet or less), encouraging duplexes/triplexes/quadplexes and exploring “cluster” developments that reduce individual lot sizes in exchange for preserved common open space.
“The ideas that we came up with were … accessory dwelling units, senior tiny‑home communities, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes,” Reiner said. He added the committee wants to begin work on a comprehensive‑plan discussion and zoning definitions before the end of the year.
Commissioner Mead said the ADU work could move fast: “The ADU portion of this will come together quickly. Making a pledge now to have some draft ordinance for next month’s meeting.” Mead said he expects the committee to meet and prepare a draft ordinance for the commission’s review.
Commissioners and members of the public debated whether new housing alone will attract workers, with several members noting that Matthews County has fewer employment opportunities than larger regional centers and that commuting time affects where workers choose to live. One commissioner said tiny homes and townhouses may serve retirees and downsizing residents as much as younger workers, and another raised concerns that smaller units could be converted to short‑term rentals without safeguards.
Committee members described cluster homes as developments that permit reduced lot sizes while preserving a portion of the site as common open space. The committee noted that if the county adjusts minimum lot sizes or allows smaller units it should also include rules to preserve community character and limit speculative short‑term rental use.
The commission asked the committee to prioritize an ADU draft ordinance and to continue work on definitions and options for tiny homes and cluster developments. No regulatory changes were adopted at the meeting; the agreed next step is preparation and review of draft ordinance language.
