The City of Chillicothe is reviewing potential changes to its zoning regulations regarding tiny homes and modular units following increased public concern.
Nearly 40 residents attended a Planning and Zoning Commission work session on November 3 to hear discussion on where tiny homes should be allowed within city limits and how densely they can be placed.
Zoning Administrator Gil Gates said public interest in the issue was sparked by a recently installed tiny home neighborhood developed within the city.
“They have put some in other locations and towns, and in this town, some of the people didn’t feel those would be good in their neighborhood,” Gates said.
Gates noted that most public commenters at the meeting felt the city’s current regulations on tiny homes are not strict enough. “A couple of the residential neighborhoods didn’t feel those particular units fit in, and they were expressing why,” he said.
The Planning and Zoning Commission is now considering possible updates, which could include revising existing definitions of housing types. “It could be as easy as updating what the current definitions are, because they’ve changed over the years,” Gates said.
Any recommendations from the board will be sent to the Chillicothe City Council for final consideration. Another work session is scheduled for December 1 to continue the discussion.
Cities across the region have faced similar questions. Earlier this year, Maryville passed stricter regulations on modular homes.