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Board tables proposed tiny‑home, substandard‑lot definitions for rewrite
Summary
A public hearing on proposed changes to zoning definitions for 'Tiny Home' and 'Substandard Lot of Record' was opened and closed with no public comment. City officials discussed a specific 575 sq ft proposal for a nonconforming Fourth Street lot, but members raised clarity concerns and tabled the ordinance until February for revision by the Planning Commission.
The board opened a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the municipal zoning regulations’ definitions of 'Tiny Home' and 'Substandard Lot of Record.' Building Official Brent Beshires described a property owner’s request to build a 575‑square‑foot house on a 6,000‑square‑foot, nonconforming lot on Fourth Street; current city regulation requires a minimum 800‑square‑foot home.
Beshires told the board, "The lot is 50 feet wide at the street, the middle pinches to about 43 feet, and is 130 feet – 160 feet deep. This is a 6000 square feet lot and they want to put a 575 sq ft house on it." Alderman Keith Smith noted that no one can create a substandard lot of record, and Alderman Jason Rhodes said language in the proposed ordinance (section 1) was unclear and should be rewritten. There were no public comments. Without a motion to adopt and with concerns about the wording, the board tabled the amendment until the February meeting to allow the Planning Commission to revise the language.
The Planning Commission had previously recommended allowing a house smaller than 800 square feet but not less than 400 square feet on qualifying substandard lots. The board’s action pauses any immediate change while staff and the Planning Commission prepare clarified text for reconsideration.
