HELP HELP HELP !!!!!

[bobhenry]

I NEED LOTS OF HELP !!!!!

I will be posting the zoning folks instructions Monday and am in hopes I can get several of you to offer written support for the tiny house movement. Without a overwhelming presence it would appear I will be moving the tiny house. I will run the gambit and take it to the states attorney general and file any and all appeals I can, but the end result may be fines and any other creative punishment they can dish out if removal is not complied with after all other avenues have been exhausted. [/color]

I am hoping a flood of letters in support will help them understand there is more to the tiny house movement than one lone nut case trying to live in a shoebox.

I will be posting this in general discussion on Monday. I need to get the instruction letter scanned for all of you to see and have the address. I am hoping I can count on my friends here to help flood their office with positive input.

Thanks Bob Henry

Well scanning and picture didn't work so here is the address

Board of Zoning appeals of Clinton Co.
301 East Clinton St Suite 107
Frankfort, IN 46041

[NCBooger]

Tell me what I can do for you and I'm on it!

[bobhenry]

One stamp and a quick letter of support addressed to the board. I hope to flood their mail box.

Here is a short listing of the tiny house goals.

http://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/

[Mojave Bob]

What is the basis of their objection? Is it that it doesn't meet minimum square foot requirements? Is it because it is a "mobile" home on property not zoned as a mobile home park? Is it because you aren't on a permanent foundation? If any of those are the case, you will have a LONG uphill battle to change things. If they just think you don't have adequate utilities/water/septic, you can bring yourself into compliance (granted with some expense).

Here in Kosciusko County, we have many people who live in the "woods" in unregistered trailers, who have long flown under the radar because it is just too hard to locate them. But, the Assessor has recently started using aerial photography, taken with the leaves off, with a change-finder function to compare the aerials year-to-year, to find any new structures. It can also search for and find anything that looks like a structure, for further investigation. They have found a LOT of these homes, and the prevailing attitude is to crack down on them, not to change the codes to accommodate them.

I work for the county government here, and have directly asked the Area Planning department if I may build and live in a tiny home. I was told that I can, as long as: 1. it is built to standard building code. 2. it meets setback requirements. 3. It is connected to a proper well and septic (some allowances made for Amish communities). 4. It is built on a permanent foundation, or is located on property zoned mobile-home. 5. I obtain the proper permits for the structure, the well, the septic, and the driveway. 6. I comply with any subdivision restrictions, if applicable. If I fail to do any of those things, they have no sympathy.

I'm not trying to discourage you, because I also believe that current laws tend to favor larger homes, but I doubt that the elected officials of your county care a whit about what taxpayers from other counties (and states) think about it or them. Best of luck to you. I wish you success.

[Woodbutcher]

Maybe you need to reclassify it as a church Bob. You can be ordained quickly over the internet and then hold services at the " Church of the Tiny Caboose" every Sunday Morning. If that doesn't work call it a Mosque. Everyone is afraid to challenge them.

While I can see where they can deny you the ability to live in it. I can not see where they can deny you the right to park it on your own land.

[aggie79]

Bob,
Is there a case number or file number we can include on the letter that references your appeal?
Tom

[Danidog]

bobhenry, Since you are 'into' tiny houses, you may already be familiar with the folks over at CountryPlans.com. A lot of like-minded folks there who would be happy to lend a voice to your cause.