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Commission backs Watered Gardens tiny‑home community rezoning despite neighborhood concerns
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning seven acres for a three‑phase tiny‑home village by Watered Gardens to provide permanent‑supportive and transitional housing; the hearing featured detailed discussion on floodplain remediation, environmental testing, ADA access and strong public opposition centered on local crime and notice.
The Zoning and Planning Commission recommended approval of Case 011-25, a request to rezone seven acres between 12th and 14th Streets from M‑2 (heavy industrial) to MP (manufactured home park / small-format home district) for a planned tiny‑home community presented by Watered Gardens.
David Glenn, who identified himself as representing the project, described it as "a 3 phase tiny home project for homeless people" and said the site would be managed by Watered Gardens. He told the commission the project is intended as a permanent‑supportive/tiny‑home community patterned after similar projects elsewhere. Glenn said engineering work is underway to raise the site out of the floodplain and address stormwater through hydraulic engineering.
Commissioners and members of the public raised environmental and safety concerns tied to nearby industrial activity and a historical smelter area. A planning staff member noted that environmental checks, including lead testing, are standard in building permit review and would be required if the property falls in the smelter area. "They will have to test for lead if it is and remedy that possibly depending on what they come up with," staff said.
Opponents from the neighborhood spoke strongly against the proposal. Jason Latham, who said he lives less than a block away, described ongoing neighborhood problems and said the area had experienced vandalism and theft: "We don't want the homeless coming to our area," Latham said, adding he had recorded property damage and expressed worry about safety and property values. Project supporters, including a designer working on the plan, argued the site is currently vacant and cited examples where tiny‑home villages brought crime reduction and increased housing values.
Commissioners emphasized that their role is to recommend zoning; City Council will make the final determination. After discussion, the commission moved to approve the rezoning recommendation; the motion carried and will proceed to City Council on April 7, 2025.
