Sedgwick County commissioner Jim Howell is calling for a six-month moratorium on the consideration of new developments featuring tiny homes.

Speaking at Wednesday’s commission meeting, Howell said there are several developments in the works, but the county’s zoning laws are not ready for them.  He said he’s not against tiny homes but he wants the county to look at changes in definitions and requirements in zoning laws to address tiny home projects.   Howell said there needs to be a zoning classification for tiny homes, and then a decision would have to be made on how they would be zoned.

Howell also wants to look at the process for scheduling hearings and notifying property owners of upcoming development projects for tiny homes.   He noted that there is a tiny home development planned on 143rd Street East, but that is in east Wichita and will not be affected by the county discussions.   His focus will be on developments in the unincorporated areas, and he said there are several projects in the works in the southeast part of the county, in the Fifth District that he represents.

Commissioners plan more discussions next week during a staff meeting.