Developer pitches tiny-home community on Diamond Road; commission encourages research

Developer and landowner Kim Brengart presented a two-part concept for roughly 58.3 acres near Diamond and Highway 54: traditional single-family lots on the south side and a prospective tiny-home community on about 15 acres to the north.

Brengart said the southern parcels would be platted first as standard single-family lots and sold, while the north would be held for a tiny-home concept that could include sites leased to occupants who would own their tiny homes. "We would lease this space, and the person would own their house," Brengart said, describing tiny homes on wheels as a preferred option to retain future flexibility and reduce long-term demolition risk. Brengart and staff discussed utilities (rural water district evaluation, potential for about 20 northern sites), septic feasibility for larger lots, Evergy for power, and the site's steep rock ledge and tree cover that would provide screening.

Staff asked the commission whether to research zoning changes, a dedicated PDO for the north parcel, or amendments to allow tiny homes in the growth area; commissioners expressed interest in using a PDO to pilot the idea rather than wholesale code changes. Staff and commissioners discussed classification differences (tiny homes on wheels versus on foundations), tax and lease implications, and community perception (avoid calling a project an "RV park"). Staff said they would pursue peer research and return with options for code changes or a PDO if the commission wanted staff to proceed.