Unique Housing Approved in Lyons
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
During the regular monthly meeting on April 2, the Lyons City Council has approved a new unique housing development, which they previously tabled.
The installation of a unique modular home development was tabled at the meeting of the Lyons City Council on Tuesday, March 5, after the Council agreed that Mayor Willis NeSmith Jr., City Manager Jason Hall, and Developer Win Tippett should meet to further discuss the development plan.
This plan includes the construction of 12 singlefamily modular homes, which range in size from 400 to 800 square feet. These homes are expandable container homes, meaning they are created in another area and shipped here to be installed as home units for families. They are larger than the state’s definition of a tiny home, which requires the house’s square footage to be less than 400 sq. ft., but are significantly smaller than the traditional home. This small development is located at 318 North Lanier Street in Lyons.
Tippett, who represents Rocky Creek Investments Inc., first introduced the project several months ago, as City Manager Jason Hall informed the Council that his plans for these unique homes was utilized as a part of the Toombs County Development Authority’s recent housing study. “These units will directly address the recommendations of the recent housing study conducted by the Toombs County Development Authority,” Tippett echoed in his written request.
He went before the Lyons Planning and Zoning Board last month after placing a model of the homes at the potential development site. Upon this placement, the Board contacted Tippett and issued a work stoppage notice, as they encouraged him to submit a major development plan for the project. Tippett obliged, as he submitted a partial development plan detailing Phase 1 of the project to the Board but is continuing to develop the latter phases.
Tippett agreed to meet with the Mayor and City Manager to work to further develop plans and assurance that the project will be completed efficiently. Since then, he and the administration have worked together to continue to discuss and solidify the plan and needed assurance, which led the Council to approve the development on a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Drayton Oliver disapproving the action.
Also, during the meeting, Council members agreed to redesign their plan for the TIA Band 2 downtown parking lot paving project, as the Council has found the current design to be too costly during the bidding process. The Council also awarded a resurfacing contract to McLendon Enterprises for several city streets as a part of another TIA state-funded project.
The Council issued a resolution sharing their support for the Community Heart & Soul program, which will be helping to identify the unique characteristics of the city for both marketing and community improvement purposes. This multiyear program utilizes local input on the things which they love most about the area, and what they would do to improve it. Through this resolution, the Council agreed to provide any leadership, representatives, or resources needed for the project.
Three students from Advanced Placement history and government classes at both Toombs County High School and Vidalia High School – Seth Powell, Nicholas Matthews, and Caden Brantley — were presented with special city coins and recognized during the meeting for their decision to shadow governmental leaders during their Spring Break.
