Council members debate process for tiny homes, occupancy‑permit proposals; UDO review urged

Council members discussed housing‑related proposals brought up during council comments, including a proposal to allow tiny homes on private, abandoned mobile‑home lots and a separate idea to require occupancy permits for rental properties. No ordinance was adopted; council members and staff described the procedural steps required to move such items forward.

Councilman Tullock said he planned to add two items for future agendas: one to permit tiny homes on private abandoned mobile‑home lots and another to establish rental occupancy permits. County staff advised that changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) would trigger a public process involving Planning and Zoning, public notice and hearings, and subsequent council ordinance consideration. A county attorney or staff member on the record explained the standard path is for the council to craft a resolution requesting staff to prepare a report and public‑notice materials so Planning and Zoning can conduct hearings before the council considers the ordinance.

Several council members recommended coordinating any proposed changes with County Services and the counselor’s office before introducing formal measures. One council member suggested bundling substantive UDO amendments into the broader UDO review tied to the county’s master‑plan update rather than pursuing piecemeal amendments that might later require rework. Another suggested scheduling a work session to discuss details before advancing a formal resolution or bill.

No vote was taken; two motions related to placing bills on future agendas were withdrawn after staff explained the procedural requirements for UDO amendments and planning and zoning review.