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Planning commission reviews Carroll Township zoning edits; temporary units, RVs and ‘echo’ homes discussed
Summary
Perry County planning staff reviewed draft Carroll Township text amendments that would update definitions and rules for temporary residential arrangements, on‑site storage containers, rural occupations and lighting. Commissioners emphasized managing visual impacts and raised questions about tiny or portable dwelling units and enforcement.
PERRY COUNTY — The commission reviewed draft zoning text amendments from Carroll Township that update definitions for temporary residential arrangements, temporary storage, rural occupations and exterior lighting. Staff recommended several clarifying comments and the commission voted to transmit the review letter to the township.
Key issues discussed included how to treat nontraditional or portable living units (sometimes described as pods or “echo homes”), rules limiting temporary on‑site storage units in front yards, and policies on recreational vehicles.
Jason (staff) noted the commission’s suggested clarifications, including a recommendation that temporary on‑site storage units not be allowed in front yards if they will remain for more than a week. Commissioners discussed allowing RVs to occupy a principal driveway for short periods while discouraging long‑term front‑yard storage that creates a nuisance. Staff warned that overly restrictive local rules can push residents to pay for off‑site storage, which can be burdensome.
The commission also flagged a potential future issue: portable dwellings retrofitted from storage pods or similar units. Staff said these are increasingly visible and the county should consider whether an ordinance should explicitly address temporary or tiny‑house style units.
Commissioners unanimously approved sending the review letter to Carroll Township with the suggested clarifications.
Separately, the commission heard from a member of staff about a conditional inquiry for a proposed glamping site near Marysville that would use high‑end Airstream trailers and noted the project would be treated as a campground or similar use in zoning terms and likely needs to be reviewed under the conservation/forest district rather than an R‑1 residential classification.
No regulatory changes were adopted by the county; the action at the meeting was to forward comments to Carroll Township for their local ordinance process.
