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MEDFORD COUNCIL Tiny houses under fire by builders Spokesman says buildings would devalue other properties Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated Jun 2, 2016 at 5:53 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated Jun 2, 2016 at 5:53 PM » Social News Local home builders are opposing a proposal to build tiny houses for the homeless in Medford, saying it would bring down home prices and create substandard structures that don’t meet building codes. “It will have an unavoidable negative influence on things around it,” said Brad Bennington, executive officer for the Southern Oregon Builders Association. Bennington submitted a letter to the Medford City Council Thursday detailing the complaints his association has with allowing construction of tiny houses in the city, citing the potential to affect housing prices in the area immediately surrounding the proposed tiny house project known as Hope Village. Rogue Retreat, a nonprofit that works on homeless issues, has proposed building 12 to 14 tiny houses along with a guard house, kennel, garden and community room at Front and Third streets. Hope Village is the nonprofit's first attempt to create a tiny house project to give homeless people an alternative to living on the streets. The tiny houses, which are 8 by 10 feet, wouldn’t have plumbing or electricity but would be built with materials commonly found in most home construction. Rogue Retreat currently has 44 larger units available for the homeless, and it partners with the Jackson County Housing Authority. Local organizations are looking for other solutions to reduce homelessness in the valley. Heather Everett of the Jackson County Homeless Task Force said the tiny house project is located in a commercial-zoned area some distance from residential neighborhoods. “We’re not selling houses,” said Everett, after the council meeting. “We’re providing basic shelter.” Since the tiny houses aren’t being sold, they wouldn’t be used by real estate professionals to come up with estimates of comparable value, Everett said. Currently, the homeless are living in various spots around the city, she said. The major difference with the tiny houses is that they would provide a more secure location. “Right now the people these are meant to serve are getting wet and frozen,” she said. “Either they’re in a tent or not a tent. This would be upsizing from a tent.” Everett said her organization is open to suggestions about how to provide basic shelter for the homeless population in the county. “So what’s the answer?” she asked. “How do we, for one, save lives and provide shelter?” Councilor Kevin Stine asked Bennington, “Do you have a solution other than this thing not happening?” Bennington said his organization isn’t concerned with the social aspects of tiny houses but wants to uphold the rules and regulations that everyone else must follow in the construction industry. Councilors noted that the city’s Planning Department has indicated there is a way to have tiny houses and still not run afoul of building codes. “We’re trying to find solutions for those who want and need help,” Councilor Dick Gordon said, noting the tiny house village could be built without violating any land-use codes. “What you’re saying is different than what our staff is saying,” Gordon said. Bennington said the city would be going down a “slippery slope” and opening the door to unregulated structures being used as dwellings. Councilor Chris Corcoran asked Bennington how Eugene is able to have tiny houses without conflicting with building codes. Bennington said he couldn’t speak to the builders association's stance in Eugene, only to his own building association. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated Jun 2, 2016 at 5:53 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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