Bob's caboose build

[VijayGupta]

Version 2.0 - a way to get around zoning? ;-)

[catleppert]

I haven't been able to get thru the whole thread, just the last ten pages or so, and I am flabbergasted at the clamming hoops you are having to jump thru. Did you at least get a sparkly pink tutu for the jumps?

Seriously, Bob, I really hope this all works out. I still can't believe that there is a zoning ordinance the requires a minimum of 750 square feet. If that is the case, then my last 3-bedroom ranch house wouldn't have been legal in IN at only 748 sq. feet. I just KNOW there are houses smaller than that in use in residential areas.....

[catleppert]

That's FLAMING hoops....

[bobhenry]

Well plan "B" is in operation as of Saturday.. I have a 12 x 16 mini barn in the back yard of the current (read bank's) house. I started Sat. AM with a controlled demolition with the full intention of saving every sheet and stick of lumber. I moved a large pickup load Saturday night to the storage building. While there I measured and chalked and popped framing lines on the cement floor. I still have a few shingles to remove but some of the decking is removed and many (almost too many) studs have already been removed.

The final design for the house in the building measures 20 x 30. This larger foot print will allow me to keep my cherry bedroom suite and a few other pieces I was going to jetison in a couple quick sales.

I still intend to place the gutted ( to avoid vandalism) caboose on the property as soon as the real estate closing is final. I think the rather large sign announcing the arrival of "Junction campgrounds coming soon pending zoning approval" might get some attention. Good or bad as long as it is not a residence they can simply feel sorry for the "homeless man with a house" and do little else.

Let me see if I can get the floor plan for the 600 sq ft house on this thread.......

[bobhenry]

The top and left side are up against the barn walls. The kitchen on the left wall has the fridge freezer counters and cabinets from the caboose as well as the rv stove/oven. The 45 degree angled room can be utilized as a shower or a pantry. I think since the roof will be flat there will be no reason a gravity feed tank can not be added above this "shower room.

The couch and coffee table are obvious as is the bed and dresser and high boy chest. The big square on the other side of the bedroom divider wall is a neat old antique desk and chair I will retain as a home office.

The toilet will be a port a potty hence the reason for the outdoor access.

Is that out of doors if it's inside the big building

This eliminates the need to drag it thru the living area and easy to vent "THE ROOM"

Well that's plan "B" for the storage units night watchman's office

[bobhenry]

Well Saturday morning the 12 x 16 out building/ shed I built in 1999 was surgically demolished. The end result was 14 sheets of t-111 cedar siding ~ 8 sheets of 4x8 7/16 osb ~ and 42 2x4 92 5/8. All are now cleaned of nails and have been delivered to the big building to be reassembled into a portion of the 20 x 30 house in a house. Just a little over 500 bucks worth of lumber at new prices. I still have 9 12' plus 8/12 pitch trusses to disassemble. They should net me 18 more 2x4 9' plus and 9 2x6 12' boards to use as flat roof joist so there is another $50.00 plus in lumber. It was a lot of work and a couple puncture wounds for my trouble, but for not quite $600.00 in "free " lumber it was well worth the day and 1/2 of hard work.

[bobhenry]

Monday update on Tuesday.....

The last of the 12 x16 building is remanned and loaded on the pickup for transfer. Even worked on the caboose a bit. Rearranged the furniture and placed the futon in the front wall and mover the entertainment center to the end of the cabinet by the microwave. It didn't work so all was for naught. Put it back where it started. Took sunday and went junk shopping at "First Sunday" A giant once a month flea market. Lookie what I found for $5.00.......

[kludge]

Bob, a couple pages back you mentioned property taxes. One way or another, the state will fine a way to get money from you, and by making a one lot campground on your property, both you and the county zoning board are de facto agreeing that your tiny house is an RV, at least for personal property taxes. Once that happens, I think a lot of other questions will answer themselves, or can go forward based on that mutual understanding.

[bobhenry]

Bob, a couple pages back you mentioned property taxes. One way or another, the state will fine a way to get money from you, and by making a one lot campground on your property, both you and the county zoning board are de facto agreeing that your tiny house is an RV, at least for personal property taxes. Once that happens, I think a lot of other questions will answer themselves, or can go forward based on that mutual understanding.

Being a fellow Hoosier you and I are aware RV property tax is paid by buying our license plates. The tiny house has been noted that it is not a mobile home as it does not have the certification of the manafacturing housing governing body. The same is true, in that the RV certification governing body has not certified my tiny house so they have told me in print it is neither. And as a foundationed home it is obviously not that either. So as long as I insist they were right it is not an RV therefore not requiring plate so there goes the access for their property taxes.

[bobhenry]

On a lighter pie in the sky note...... Ckeck out this tiny europen student house over the big pond.







What I want to know is how that table and desk are hinged to get them in the window for night blinds and storage.

It is a great space saving idea though.

[luneywan]

On a lighter pie in the sky note...... Ckeck out this tiny europen student house over the big pond.

What I want to know is how that table and desk are hinged to get them in the window for night blinds and storage.

It is a great space saving idea though.

That is facinating. Would you happen to have a link?

Pip

[mezmo]

Hi Pip,

Try these links:

http://www.gizmag.com/smart-student-unit-tengbom/29027/
http://www.designboom.com/architecture/ ... dent-flat/
http://www.tengbom.se/en-US/projects/20 ... dent-units

[BTW, gizmag.com is a great site to find out what's new in/on a wide
variety of topics.]

[bobhenry]

Well, I left work Friday with $300.00 worth of framing lumber. Dropped it at the storage building and headed home to rest up for a busy weekend. During the day saturday got the left and rear walls built and stood. Sunday I built the right wall and framed the short walls for the porta potty and closet. Finished up with one of the two remaining front walls framed with the window openings roughed in. ( sorry missed that picture).







While rechecking for square and plumb on the walls that were stood I projected where the final wall would end and found It would hit the existing breaker box. A little surgery was needed to shorten two walls and the problem was resolved. I was wiped, and as I have not yet decided which entry door I wanted to use, I put off framing the last exterior wall. This wall and the two super simple interior walls are all that are left. Then on to sheathing the front and potty side walls with the
T-111 and setting the two windows.

I know it seems kinda crazy to build this second little house ("night watchmans office") but regardless of the caboose outcome I will still need some storage that is bird poop free for my finer pieces of furniture and goods.

I have a great deal of the toys and tools covered with tarps to avoid the droppings from my rafter perching feathered friends.

[S. Heisley]

Bird drops from the rafters? Well, at least you'll have some "feathered friend" company.

[bobhenry]

No I haven't given up on the caboose.......

Here is my latest effort to chip away at the layers of beauracratic B.S.


Mr. Mayor


I am about to attempt to introduce tiny house living to Frankfort Indiana. I have purchased a small parcel of land on S.R.28 that was left from the roads realignment. On that property I wish to park my tiny house. I have been in contact with the zoning commission for well over a year now asking how best to get the necessary variance to allow this. The latest prognosis is that it will be an up hill fight and I have little hope of success.

Obviously you either need to either have their approval in writing in order to apply for the zoning approval, or own the property so you can sign as owner. I have bounced this off my boss (who writes the official staff opinion for the board) and he stated it is unlikely he would recommend for the approval given the location in our SR 28 overlay. The board does not always follow staff recommendations, but he asked me to pass on to you that he is not supportive in this situation and will write the staff report accordingly. A negative staff report definitely does not help in terms of odds of getting approval. As far as thoughts from me, I always advise getting approvals before buying if the approval determines if you can do anything with the purchase. If denied you lose the application fee of a hundred or so, but not the cost of the property. This protects you from being stuck with something useless and wasting larger amounts of money.

Liz:)

As I have already committed to downsizing and have no other options as to where to park my caboose style little home on wheels it will be placed on the land. I would love to be able to live in it as well, but need the necessary zoning variance to legally make it my home.

Frankfort wishes to present itself as a model US city with forward thinking that has drawn industry and modernization and as a community that embraces green living.

The tiny house is just such a symbol. Solar powered, self contained , embracing rain water harvesting and solar waste water reduction thru evaporation with the aid of a fresnel solar lens. I have also constructed a solar furnace and hot water system.

Even the small foot print of such a house reduces the needed demands for heat and cooling. The construction materials were minimal and green by being primarily recycled wood and wood products such as the fiberglass faced osb wood sheathing and plywood saved from the waste stream of a local Frankfort company. The chassis itself was re-manned from a wrecked 24’ camping trailer.










I would like to take a currently un-mowed and un-kept piece of Frankfort property and give it a manicured lawn and garden with flowers and scrubs and a cute little caboose style home on it that will make folks smile as they pass by.
I think this small improvement will speak volumes about the forward thinking city planners and how they are utilizing fallow land for a greener means of property management.

I lost my wife in January of 2012 and have since placed my Montgomery county home on short sale as there is now only one income for all of our bills and I am a paycheck shy. I now find myself single and am about to retire to $1500 a month in benefits. I fully realize with no other income I will soon need to live modestly and the tiny house looms large in my plan.

( I am curious how I will afford the $600.00 a month for the new federally mandated health care out of that social security check ???)

I am writing to you in search of an ally in my attempt to place the home with the city’s blessing on my property. The option of only parking it on my property scares the devil out of me. The thoughts of vandalism, theft and destruction of a vacant little home is my biggest fear. I feel my presence on the property will dissuade those that might be tempted. I am in hopes you will come to my aid. I realize this is a county matter and not a city one but I feel you have gained the respect of many in the local government and your endorsement would greatly aid my cause.

Thanking you in advance for any help you may be able to afford me.

Bob Henry