Tiny Homes Get Unanimous Approval From Lyons Planning Commission

LYONS, CO -- Lyons has struggled with an insufficient stock of affordable housing since the 2013 floods ripped through the community. On Monday night, the Planning and Design Commission unanimously passed a resolution recommending that tiny homes on wheels be allowed under the town's code, offering one more potential option to a community constrained by regulations and geography.

The town's accessory dwelling unit ordinance, which applies to structures like small apartments or carriage houses, has evolved considerably over the last few years. This week, the Planning and Design Commission was asked to evaluate the addition of tiny homes to the list of permitted structures. By their definition, tiny homes do not exceed 400 square feet in size, are built in a location other than the property where they are located, do not have an attached motor as a means of propulsion, and are built on a permanent chassis.

According to Monday's resolution, the recommendation intends to help provide "A mix of housing responsive to changing demographics and family needs, encouraging a range of affordability in Town housing, providing a broader range of more affordable housing, and creating new housing compatible with the scale and look of single-family neighborhoods."

The resolution will now pass to the town's Board of Trustees for approval.

Affordable housing and zoning restrictions have been hot topics in recent years across Boulder County. "Your little brother is showing you what progressively housing your [community] looks like!" one resident wrote in a Twitter message directed at City of Boulder officials.

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Lyons CO Planning Commissioners unanimously voted to pass Tiny Houses as ADU’s WITHIN the City limits!Now its time for Boulder to get on board!! Your little brother is showing you what progressively housing your cmty looks like!!! @AaronBrockett12 @jillgrano pic.twitter.com/58deRuf1ji
— Masyn_Moyer (@MasynMoyer) November 27, 2018

The message was re-tweeted by Boulder councilwoman Jill Grano, and councilman Aaron Brockett replied, "Go Lyons!" Boulder is in the process of attempting to re-shape its strict accessory dwelling unit regulations.

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