One side of the room cheered while the other sat in silence as the city’s Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve plans to convert an auto repair facility into a “tiny house” workshop and nine-unit residential community in a Monday meeting.
Supported by Occupy Madison Inc., a social justice group focused on safe housing, the residences would be 99 square foot houses on trailers, constructed by the future resident and built on private property on East Johnson Street.
Ald. Larry Palm, District 12, said people will have plenty of opportunities to form reactions with neighborhood association meetings.
Ald. Steve King, District 7, said he thought it was good to begin addressing the issue of homelessness with this gradual project.
“This is going to be a good learning curve for us as a city, and it’s another thing that’s going to add to our reputation of trying to tackle this issue, which is a really complicated issue,” King said.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, echoed King’s sentiments, saying the creative idea works well for Madison.
“We need to address the problem with homelessness, and this is an empowering tool and project that will allow someone to build their own home,” Resnick said.
Opponents, mostly people living within the neighborhood, raised concerns about ambiguity in “tiny house” building codes, the long-term effects of a “365-day-a-year campground” and possibly lowered property values.
Other Madisonians supported the project, from board members to neighbors to potential future stewards, who are tenants who would not pay rent.
“I loved it from the moment I heard of it,” neighborhood resident Janet Parker said.
Keith Valecet, one of the first residents of the homes, described his roles in life as a college-educated business owner, grandfather and year-long member of the homeless community.
“We want to be part of the larger community,” Valecet said.
Following emotional appeals from both sides, commissioners voted. The City Council will consider the project in a meeting May 2.
“The fact that we still have folks sleeping outside tonight on a rainy evening outside the City Council building, that’s not going to change with nine tiny homes,” Resnick said. “But I think it is a start.”
