Whether it’s due to downsizing or finding a transition between renting and owning a home, allowing tiny homes in DeLand has been a hot topic for years now. But during a recent City Commission discussion, there was more skepticism than excitement about the idea.
“It’s a real fine line between a community and a campground,” City Commissioner Dan Reed said.
DeLand Planning Director Carol Kuhn introduced an amendment to the city’s code that would allow for tiny homes between the size of 200- and 600-square-feet to be built in residential areas. The measure would allow for a maximum of 20 homes per two-acres, and that homes be stationary on a concrete foundation.
IS THERE ENOUGH ROOM? —- DeLand City Commissioner Kevin Reid worried that 2 acres isn’t enough for 20 tiny home units plus parking.
City Commissioner Jessica Davis expressed interest in the plan, saying it would create more affordable housing in the city, but other city officials worried the homes could be too densely packed and unsightly.
“I don’t think the ones that look like a storage bin would be good,” City Commissioner Charles Paiva said. “We’ve got to look at where they are going next to.”
Amid the questions about who would buy the homes, where they would go and more, preeminent land use attorney Mark Watts said the move to allow tiny homes was an important one.
“This helps people take that next step and gain that independence,” he said. “I think we need to keep in mind if it’s a non-profit trying to do this or a for profit enterprise when we look at (regulations).”
While there was no formal vote, the City Commission expressed interest in the next steps for allowing tiny homes in DeLand.
Well I know in Daytona estates behind Kepler road I should say east of Kepler road is a mishbosh of homes. Some abandoned, some boarded up and some brand new. I was thinking about buying a piece of property in there and I’m capable of building a home myself. But the ordinance says you can’t live in a travel trailer even if you have the utilities while you’re building your home. And you cannot build a tiny home in there, it has to be at least 1,100 square feet I do believe. That’s the only place I actually looked. So in that particular old development which has plenty of land in it. For some reason you can’t build a tiny home, but you can have a home that’s half falling down with trash all around it. That’s really confusing. I wonder if you could look into this and find out why they have that ordinance for the square footage again. I believe 1100 square feet and you can’t live in a travel trailer while you’re building the home. That makes it very difficult for me because I’m renting and it would be much more financially advantageous. If I could buy a small mobile home. Put it on the property. Say even after the foundation is done or pad whatever I’m going to use. So it’s showing that I’m actually going to build a home. Maybe that’s their concern. And they don’t want people living in travel trailers. I don’t know but for someone like me it makes it kind of impossible because while I’m paying rent I don’t have the money to buy material to build the house. That’s it.
Thank you,.
Kirk Ashe
I recently spoke to the editor and The newsroom manager. Respect to the newsroom manager, first she took my story and she also mentioned she may be able to find me some help. I’ve called and written several emails trying to get some kind of answer if nothing else just to see if you’re going to post the story.
I was attacked by a pitbull on November 13th. I have all the documents. I sent the animal control report. Any picture of the injury. My arm is messed up for the rest of my life. I’m a disabled veteran with the benefits I receive at 80%. It covers my bills but I’m really left with about $500 for the rest of the month. I used to supplement my income with some handyman work and pet sitting which I can no longer do because of my injuries. I have shooting pains in my forearm. My hand goes indiscriminately numb and the doctors don’t know whether it will ever recover. No lawyers will help me. We’re getting Morgan after they found out that there’s a no pet clause on the insurance which was a lie. The dog’s been coming to that house for 10 years at least off and on weeks at a time once at a time. They basically said that it wasn’t worth it to them so they definitely are not for the people. After that I’ve written about 100 emails at least and spoken with at least 20 different people in organizations. Nobody will help me like the veterans legal help. They don’t do personal injury. The community legal help of Central Florida. They don’t do personal injury. A lot of letters were to our politicians. One of the few that called me back was a representative of the mayor of the land but it’s outside of their jurisdiction so they can’t help me. I really liar to the governor by congressman, my senator, even the attorney general, I kind of knew that one wouldn’t produce any fruit, but it’s been weeks and nobody’s written me back. I also wrote the state’s attorney at the courthouse in DeLand. I haven’t heard back from them so it appears I’m on my own right before this I contacted channel 6 News through an email. See what happens with that, but I would really like to know if you’re going to make a story and if you actually can help me at all. I’m perfectly capable of doing the research and writing the complaint and filing it. The problem is the three to $400 for the filing fee. I’ve paid taxes for 40 plus years. I thought my tax money would take care of filing something at the county courthouse. That is funded by tax money right ? I don’t have any money to pay a lawyer. I’ve had no pro bono lawyers. Contact me back every lawyer. The contacted me back made their decision within a day except Morgan& Morgan, it took them 2 months. From the research that I’ve already done both my aunt and cousin are actually responsible. My aunt is wealthy. She could pull the money out of her pocket. I’m sure. If I do go to trial, I’m definitely going to use my right to a jury trial so the jury makes the decision instead of when judge. But with all the information I have and what I read about this stuff it’s definitely going to be in my favor. It’s just a matter of time and I do have 2 years to file. But I did make an appeal to my aunt actually several but the last since she has never answered me back about anything. The average payout for this kind of attack and the injuries that I have in Florida is between 50 and $200,000. So I need an appeal for my Aunt to pay me $50,000 and get this over with and I gave her all the information talking about the fact that she is liable and responsible which I guess she doesn’t believe because she hasn’t helped me or talk to me At all, since I found out this is more than likely a lifelong injury. The doctor told me there’s nothing else they could do and he had no idea of how long it would last or if it would ever go away the doctor’s words. So I’m appealing on this forum since I haven’t gotten any answers back from the editor or at The newsroom manager to maybe get some help. I’m 2 and 1/2 months into this. I’m suffering financially. I’m suffering physically and I’m suffering psychologically. The worst part is my family not wanting to help me. You’re not taking responsibility for what happened. It breaks my heart. I’ve helped them all my life without question and they turn their backs on me and it appears to anybody else has as well.
Thank you,
Kirk Ashe