Chanute makes rules for dome, tiny houses

Chanute commissioners passed ordinance amendments Tuesday evening that allow dome and tiny houses – under certain conditions.
The measure proposed by the Planning Commission passed 3-2 with Commissioners Tim Fairchild and Phil Chaney opposed.
Developer Bernard Neyer has proposed building dome houses of smaller square footage, but said the rules passed Tuesday will make it difficult. Dome houses will be allowed within the Mobile Home Overlay District with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission.
Tiny homes will be allowed within R-1 districts, except for lots of less than 3,000 square feet.
The ordinance prohibits metal shipping containers, accessory structures designed as utility sheds, scuttled aircraft, buses, railcars and campers used as tiny homes. Both dome and tiny homes must have a minimum of 600 square feet.
Chaney said he needs more information and although he has tried to research other cities, there is not much precedent. He said square footage and multiple units on one lot were concerns, but he thinks there is a market for it.
“I want to go a little bit slow,” he said. “I want to be sure we do it right.”

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)