Bob's caboose build

[Ned B]

whoops, I didn't see the prior post about the original use of the trailer.

[bobhenry]

This was my responce to a question about zoning laws on another tiny house site but thought I would place it here also for safe keeping. I may want to use it again later in my zoning battle.......


Well that led to some interesting rants…..

I too am having fun with the zoning laws. With my tiny house livable (but not complete) and having my new .43 acre lot bought and paid for I am fighting to place it on the property. Variences and exclusions sanctioned industrial areas and other barriers are thrown into the path to slow me down and dissuade me from my goal. I can camp on it in my “RV” for 2 weeks then it must be moved. I guess I need to ask how far I need to move it at the next meeting. I have gone as far as to attempt to purchase a similar piece of property 7/10 of a mile away and travel between the two parcels and “camp” on first one and then the other. I have just acquired a trailer to construct my solar systems and rain water harvesting systems onto. So when I move I can take the systems along seperatly. I would like to take this weed infested lot and make it into a well maintained garden spot and lawn I simply can not see that the existance of a tiny house and these improvements as a blight on the surounding properties. Surrounding properties…. A large factory to the east a corn fiels to the west and north and a 4 lane highway to the south. I can throw a rock twice and hit a rundown trailer park to the far east of the property,Ah but they were there before the industrial corridor was declaired so they are OK. Yes I have an uphill battle on my hands and yes I will park it there regardless of whether I can live in it or not. The antiquated laws and bylaws regarding tiny houses must somehow be addressed and as long as we are a non entity we have no rights. I have been told directly my tiny house is not a house without a foundation it is not a mobile home as it was not certified by the mobilehomes manufacturing association and not an RV because it was not certified by the RV manufactures association. We do not have a catagory and are shoved willy nilly into one of these neiches whether we fit or not. Each decision carries a different set of bylaws. Your “camper” (RV) must be placed in a campground. Your little mobile home must be placed in a mobile home park and you can’t be a little house because you are semi mobile and several 10 square feet short of meeting minimum square footage they have determined to be necessary. If I sound a bit flustered it is only because I am. I have been 18 months into this fight and time is running out I must live in it soon within the law or outside of it.

[bobhenry]

I was sending a link of this thread to a fellow tiny house enthusiast and noticed the thread has an anniversary coming up on Thursday !

The first post was made on 12/19/11.

Wow where did that 2 years go ?

I seems fitting I take time and start the zoning wars today with the city of Frankfort , Indiana.

[pjo129]

Best wishes and prayers for your zoning fight. Happy Anniversary to the Caboose. And Merry Christmas to you my friend.

[bobhenry]

Well at the suggestion of shadow catcher I took time to write to an institution of higher learning for some assistance.

Robert L. Henry
1729 W. S.R. 28
Frankfort, IN 46041
Professor Harry Eggink
Department of Architecture
Ball State University
AB building room 402
Muncie IN 47306

Dear Professor Eggink,

I have been investigating several grants for solar hot water heating and solar furnaces as well as photovoltaics , rain water harvesting and wind generation of electricity to be incorporated into modern home design. I have been working with the mayor and the zoning board to install a tiny house at 4013 old S.R. 28 West in Frankfort IN. The closing on the property was this week and I will be moving my 8x20 caboose style tiny home onto the property soon. I had hoped to find grants to allow me to pursue these environmentally green project. Unfortunately, I have found that private grants are all but non- existent. Most are focused to religious organizations, community and educational projects. I have located several government grants from The United States Dairy Association, The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency as well as many private funded grants from sources such as the Kresge Foundation.

What I would like to propose is to offer my property and home as a test bed for implementing and monitoring several of these avenues. This project will combine the talents of not only building and testing various solar units but computer monitoring of the results. Setting up computerized tracking of solar equipment to follow the suns trajectory. Monitoring of rain water harvest, and using solar heating to prevent freezing in above ground storage reservoirs. All in all I see 6 to 10 very green energy projects that will get a great deal of attention in the hunt for green energy. What I have to offer is the access to a lived- in home showing real livable alternatives to the current status quo lifestyles. I have a smaller solar furnace test modules already built, a basic photovoltaic system purchased and ready to install. I also envision a complete self contained system incorporating all of these systems on a 8 x 20 flat bed trailer I also happen to have.

The tiny house movement is alive and well in the far western states. Oregon has seemed to lead the way embracing this very economic lifestyle. I think the grants offered to educational institutions and the ability to access ongoing testing of a lived in home for “livability” would be an interesting study. I can provide a link to the
1 ½ year build of my tiny house and pictures that may be of interest to you and your students.

I am in hopes if I get a program like this behind me perhaps the closed minded zoning czar will see this is a movement towards greener living and not some kook trying to park a shack in their fancy industrial corridor.

[bdosborn]

Bob,

Contact the local chapter of the AIA. It will be composed of practicing architects that will be much more savy when it comes to dealing with the local AHJ....

Bruce

[godskid]

This gal's place has similarities to yours:

http://themetapicture.com/woman-finds-h ... k-is-epic/

[Woodbutcher]

That is a cool trailer house....We could all be living in one someday .

[Verna]

I like it! I'd have to have a workshop for my woodworking. As Bob as encountered though, the local zoning rules dictate that homes be a minimum square footage. So, it may not work in all localities.

[bobhenry]

Found this today ain't it sweet !...........................

http://tinyhousetalk.com/caboose-micro-guest-house/

I love the detail work....

[S. Heisley]

Well done!

I think that I would've taken it somewhere and gotten it weighed while it was still on the trailer; and, if it was light enough....Well, you know....

[bobhenry]

Well there is to be a tiny house build seminar in Memphis this spring 4/17 through 4/19.

I am trying to wrangle a spot as an assistant to Deek and the boys at relaxed shack .com

I am gonna take "Barn to be wild" down and camp out if they will have me. I think I have learned a trick or two with the caboose and the house in a house so maybe they will let me assist.

Deek if you are lookin here are a few of my other babies.........

[bobhenry]

Tumbleweed tiny houses are becoming know world wide for their cute little cottage look homes.

I was crusing one of their new models and found these rather claustraphobic shots. I don't see this model being very user friendly.





And the price

for a mere $ 57,000 you can have this little gem ready to move into.


While the pictures of the caboose arn't staged and the decoration factor has not yet been added I see that my kitchen and the open concept of my creation make me feel good about my design being far more user friendly for a fat boy.



I am pennys away from having $2,200 invested in my build.

[pjo129]

As a fellow fat boy who's been in the caboose, I can testify to the spacious floor plan. I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. But I spend my days in a Freightliner. Your results may vary.

[pjo129]

$57000!!!!???? YIKES!