Kimball board reviews tiny houses

Tiny houses are a trend sweeping the nation, according to thetinylife.com, this is a social movement where people choose to downsize the space they live in, often for the obvious long-term financial benefits, but also due to the freedom gained by diminished home-owner responsibilities.

While the typical American home is approximately 2,600 square feet, tiny houses typically range between 100 and 400 square feet, according to the website. These tiny homes come in many designs and can be purchased in a kit.

The Kimball Planning Commission met on Monday, June 6 and in part discussed tiny houses, a subject that was tabled at an earlier Planning Commission meeting.

During a February meeting, board member Mark Brown opened a discussion on tiny house requirements to the KPC board, because the subject was addressed with Brown by a Kimball citizen.

Brown suggested that provisions for these smaller living spaces be considered and added to the Zoning Ordinance for the City of Kimball.

According to Kimball’s current zoning ordinance, the minimum dwelling size is no less than 800 square feet for a single family dwelling, and the definition of a tiny house is a home of 400 square feet or less, but that measurement can be subjective.

“It was brought to the attention of the board that there is a need, in Kimball, for smaller, one level housing for elderly single persons or for professionals,” board member Penny Merryfield said.

Merryfield suggested that the board members were all interested in researching the subject more and exploring the options for the city of Kimball.

“We are concerned where they would be placed,” she said. “Obviously, you wouldn’t want to put a five hundred to seven hundred square foot home next to a three thousand square foot home, because of the change in valuation.”

Brown indicated that some issues that need to be looked at include lot size and location.A discussion was then held on reducing the minimum square footage requirement in the residential zoning district to 700 feet

Kimball Administrator, Daniel Ortiz suggested a requirement that under 800 feet would have to be a conditional use and there would have to be some conditions set, such as a solid foundation and so forth.

City of Kimball Special Projects Coordinator Julie Schnell suggested that someone on the board contact Spencer Noah in regards to a property that may work for the tiny houses.

The matter was once again tabled at the June 9 meeting to allow board members more time for research, according to Merryfield.