Gate City council workshops tiny home, food truck ordinances

GATE CITY – The Gate City Town Council discussed tiny homes, food trucks and more at its Monday workshop. Tiny homes Part of the workshop saw a joint session between the council and the town's Planning Commission over a proposed rezoning of the town's residential R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones to allow construction of tiny homes — residential structures with a maximum 400-square-foot inside floor space. The council has been discussing the tiny home issue since last fall with concerns over how the structures would fit within town zoning and permitting. The council and commission agreed on a rough draft ordinance for review at the council's March 10 regular meeting and advertisement for public hearing. The draft will contain the following standards: Conformity to the Virginia Residential Code – no more than 400 square feet of interior floor space, excluding lofts Construction allowed on a single lot already containing a principal residential structure Construction separate from the principal dwelling on a permanent foundation, with their own septic, water and electrical connections Compliance with VRC requirements for building insulation Applications subject to Planning Commission review and approval with final special use and exemption permit approve by the council Upon council permit approval, building code permit approval by the Scott County building code administrator The council and commission agreed that individual tiny homes — under VRC provisions — would not be allowed as conversion of yard barn structures, recreational vehicles, wheeled dwellings or park model trailers. Tiny home plans would require their own living, sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities under the proposed town ordinance, both groups agreed, and a tiny home could not be sold independently of the principal dwelling. Only one tiny home would be allowed on a lot under the ordinance draft and would have to comply with existing zoning setback requirements from property lines and neighboring lot structures. Food trucks Permitting food trucks in town limits is another issue on council's plate since last fall, when some town restaurant owners complained about the trucks' placement near similar establishments during downtown events on Jackson Street. Mayor Jamie Lawson said council had never talked about banning food trucks from the downtown area. "This needs to be about protecting residents merchants and everyone involved," Lawson said. Town staff had compiled information on various Southwest Virginia localities' policies and permit requirements for food trucks in the past five months. Those localities all used some combination of permit fees and/or meals tax collection, Virginia Department of Health licensing and/or siting restrictions. The council agreed to have Town Manager Greg Jones draft an ordinance based on a $100 fee per event for food trucks, with fee exemption for civic and school groups. Members agreed not to include designated zones for food trucks yet in the draft. Council salary increase Council member Wallace Ross Jr. asked the council, in February, to include a discussion on boosting council salaries from the current monthly $100 per member and $200 for the mayor. On Monday, Ross restated his February concerns that the pay level might not be sufficient to encourage younger generations to run for office and volunteer their service to keep the town progressing. Citing the town of St. Paul's council as an example, Ross said that town's mayor is paid $500 per month and council members paid as much as $200. Council member Allen Dougherty, agreeing with Ross' concerns, said he would like to see data on whether council pay increases had an impact on community participation in local government. Vice Mayor Kevin Barnett said his experience as a pastor and with community volunteerism has shown "it's hard to get young people to volunteer." The council agreed to have Jones run numbers on council-mayor salary increases as he prepares budget drafts for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Any salary increase would not be effective until after the next election for council members, if council did act on a pay increase, Town Attorney Michele Brooks said. Community Park hours The council agreed to consider setting open hours for the Community Park upon completion. Lawson recommended 6 a.m. to midnight, and members agreed to consider action on that at the March 10 regular meeting.