ELY – The minimum size of a home allowed to be built in this community is headed for more than just small talk by zoning officials and council members. A study session planned for this week was postponed until February to give the Planning and Zoning Commission more time to prepare a way forward for a not-so-tiny issue that has been under construction for months.
City Zoning Administer Tim Riley is exploring a new concept for allowing homes in the city limits that are smaller than what is currently allowed. In an email sent late last year to P and Z members, a new “R-Point Five Zone” would allow for homes that are in the 500 to 750 square-foot range.
“We do not want the discussion to be about ‘tiny homes,’” Riley said.
Tiny homes are typically well under 500 sq. ft., delivered pre-built, trailer wheels removed, and no permanent foundation. They have gained popularity in the past couple of years on various television programs.
“What we’re trying to accomplish is reducing the size requirement stated in Ely’s ordinance from 768 square feet to allow someone who wants to build a quality smaller home,” Riley said. “The vision for these smaller homes will be good quality, site-assembled and high cost per square foot.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission suggested that the city cluster the new small-but-not-tiny homes in an orderly development “to avoid potential neighborhood objections to sprinkling smaller homes throughout Ely’s existing neighborhoods,” Riley said. However, variances would still be available for construction in existing neighborhoods.
“The vision is to create smaller private parcels with walking paths and natural adjoining spaces, water retention pond, etc.,” Riley said. “Only a limited number of parcels would initially be needed, such as a cul de sac area on a single street. Perhaps the city could lease parcels or finance purchase by homeowners to help reduce the cost of constructing a (small) home.”
Ryan Callen represents the city council on the Planning and Zoning Commission and suggested the two groups gather for a study session discussion over the matter.
“It would be nice to have more information about this and then perhaps have a study session,” said council member Heidi Omerza. Council member Paul Kess agreed. He asked how allowable home sizes would be determined.
Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski asked council members how they would feel about having small homes mixed in with existing R-1 Zone structures. “Do you want to take a specific piece of property and make a new zoning district?” he asked. “That seems to be the direction that P&Z is pushing for.”
Langowski noted there are a couple of areas available in Spaulding for a new zoned area for those types of homes. “They don’t want to see (small homes) spread through all our neighborhoods,” he said.
The invitation for the Planning and Zoning Commission to meet next week was pushed to the study session on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Community Center
Langowski reported to council members last week that an online website that features available old houses and buildings for sale has sparked interest in the former Community Center building.
“With this online magazine, I believe it’s called ‘Cheap Old Homes,’ we have received dozens of phone calls and emails for both (Heritage Preservation Commission Chair) Celia Domich and myself,” he said. “She has shown the building a couple of times already and there is a lot of interest. It is crazy the worldwide reach that ‘Cheap Old Homes’ has.”
He expressed hope that a legitimate offer will be made on the 1930s-era landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been vacant for several years.
The K-America Foundation bought the vacant building in 2018 for $30,000 with plans to renovate the building into a Korean cultural center. The plans withered after organizers claimed ongoing racism over the coronavirus pandemic stymied their plans to raise as much as $3 million for the project.
The building is listed for $79,000 at www.cheapoldhomes.com

Other business
In other business, the council:
• Appointed Albert Forsman as acting mayor for 2021.
• Approved a note and mortgage for a residential rehab loan for fellow council member Jerome Debeltz, 311 N Lakeshore Dr., for $7,000.
• Approved the Ely School Board’s use of the council chambers for board meetings during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Received a report on passport sales by the city of Ely which were down more than half in 2020 over 2019, from 152 to 65, generating less than $2,000 in net income.
• Accepted a COVID-19 public health plan from Ely Winter Festival organizers that includes a major scale-back of the 2021 event due to social distancing protocols.