Beaver Island Michigan

I really feel the township should create a variance stipulating that upon building of a mirco home that you would have 5 years to submit building plans for a full sized home

The Island is perfect for micro houses and micro house communities.

Years ago I was talking with someone about taking a 10 acre parcel and divide it into five 2 acres units. One 2 acre lot could have a common house. A place for running water, showers, restrooms, laundry, community kitchen, solar and garden, septic, composting toilets etc. This solves the water and sanitation issue and keeps costs down for investors.

Then surround the common area with four 2 acre lots where people could build their own micro or mini homes that suited them best.

I think it would be a huge draw to the island and would also tap into a economic market not considered before.

I hope to see micro and mini houses welcomed all over the island one day.

http://www.countryliving.com/home-desig ... iny-house/

I had heard that the Port of St james township had a meeting about smaller foot print homes any word on that

Perhaps it would be better to just specify a few standards and functions rather than total square footage. Essentially if someone is going to build a livable structure it needs to be safe and something that will not deteriorate faster than a conventional home. In addition it needs to be constructed so that it can easily be remodeled to become a full sized structure. To incentivise the island neigh-sayers is it needs to be constructed as a year round structure in order to encourage economic activity year round.

Standards:
1. follow all building codes for construction (includes insulation foundation, electrical plumbing and heating)
2. Setbacks heights, etc,
3. Sanitary (well and septic)

Functions:
1. (1) Bathroom consisting of at least a shower stool and sink that meets existing codes.
2. 4 lineal feet of counter and a sink.
3. others???

Sounds like a $200,000 house to me.

It sounds like a $$2.1 Million shanty out here in the
Free Democratic People's Socialist Republic of California

location, location, location....
However, that being said, Prices are high, but property taxes are low... go figure

All I know is that I am interested in building a tiny home for my Fox Lake property.

All plans and pricing estimates are handled by my cohort on Whiskey Island the Beaver Island Pirate.

Here is the house http://www.countryliving.com/home-desig ... or-father/

or this one http://www.creativecottagesllc.com/work ... e-retreat/

If you can convince him that we are getting a good bang for our buck, then he will submit it to me for final approval....

Hey Doc, You got me at "tiny", I live on a boat. I'm all for tiny, micro homes over mega mansions we have going up. The issue is "bang for the buck". Build tiny houses but not at mega bucks required by unnecessary building codes and standards.
When yours is complete, I'll bring the Champaign so we can hoot and holler with Bob and his tiny house on Fox.
I also have long supported Adam's concept of a central commune of houses with utility sharing, (Well, common room, fire place, kitchen, necessity rooms to include showers). Can't get better than that life style unless you live on a sail boat.

See what I was thinking was that these smaller foot print homes would be starters homes. 1) A building plan would have to be submitted showing that you do plan on building a full sized home in 5 years or less one extension of 3 years . 2) they would have to be on skids so that would be able to be moved 3) since they will be building a home septic ,water and power will be required with in 2 years of the smaller foot print home being placed on the lot. I do feel that this is not asking too much from land owners what are your thoughts

If you don't have the money to do it now, you probably won't in five years either. I don't think the goal of the tiny house movement is to stand in the gap because you can't afford to do something now. It's a life style not a band-aid.

The Master Plan being currently being developed jointly by the townships does mention this subject but the Master Plan has no authority to allow them.

If you want the issue of â??tiny homesâ?￾ to be considered the best bet is to write the Townships and ask that they direct the Township Planning Commission's look at the issue and make recommendations to the township boards. They (the boards) would then have to modify an existing ordinance or create a new ordinance to allow "tiny homes".

It is certainly worth looking at but it is my understanding that only a few communities have allowed them. I believe most are mobile and that requires a RV park with facilities to handle the sewage. Briley Township in Michigan does allows them and here is the link to what they did:

https://goo.gl/tR7rd2

Here are a couple of web sites to look at:

https://goo.gl/TQkmdt

https://goo.gl/85GhwY

Here is an article on the zoning issues associated with tiny homes:

https://goo.gl/BfhK54

Here is the link to the names and addresses of the township officials.

St James
http://www.stjamestwp.org/government_de ... /index.php

Peaine
http://www.peainetwp.org/government_dep ... /index.php


Bob Tidmore
St James Planning Commission

btidmore@tds.net

Every time a landowner comes to the island not having a place to store their bikes, weed eater, chainsaw. To have a starter home 1) increase's property tax 2) Then when a landowner comes they do not have to pay for a hotel room, meals out etc etc, hence being able to put money away to build. Give landowners a reason to improve their land not just watch it year after to over grow.
http://www.beaverbeacon.com/gallery/upl ... 96/cab.jpg

Hello,

We are a design firm specializing in Innovative Small Homes in the Northern Michigan Region. We have researched the zoning ordinances in all of the townships in and surrounding Northwest Lower Michigan, including Beaver Island.

We recently spoke with an insurance agent based in Charlevoix who let us know that small homes are needed on Beaver Island. We are dedicated to improving lives through the design of innovative small homes. We would love to help!

Please visit our website to learn more about us. We would love to talk with you to discuss available options for small homes on Beaver Island.

https://www.beaghaus.com/
231.492.0696

Check out the tiny lots out by Donegal Bay. Micro homes are made for that area. Ernie would be happy to have his concept carried on. An economic boom for Beaver Island.

Once again winter has set in on beaver island. Lets all revisit Micro homes I just do not see any downside's of these types of homes. 1) Allows people to invest on their land they own, bringing much needed income to the island its not just the build of the home. You have the tree and lot Prep, culverts driveways, septic,plumbing, power 2) Allows for higher property Taxes hence more income to the townships. and now you have landscaping...... the list just goes on and on. Its 2019 guys not 1970 rise up united make beaver island great again.