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Home-size requirements squeeze out some buyers
(by Joan Demirjian - November 03, 2010)
Home-size requirements squeeze out some buyers
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Bigger is not necessarily better for some home buyers, according to Auburn Zoning Inspector Frank Kitko. He said he is working with builders on some square-footage issues of homes.
Auburn's zoning code calls for a minimum size of 1,200 square feet.
Issues arise, because laundry or utility rooms, foyers, stairwells and basements cannot be calculated in the square footage, he said. It forces them to build bigger houses.
However, today, not everyone wants a larger house, Mr. Kitko said. "It's a new way of thinking, especially with the economy the way it is."
The issue has arisen recently, and some people want smaller homes, he said. "I would like to look into what other townships require."
"The 4,000- to 6,000 square-foot homes are not ideal anymore," Mr. Kitko said.
It is a matter he intends to talk to the township zoning commission about, he said.
The township may look at how square footage is calculated, he said. The 1,200-square-foot minimum was set in 1989.
The township requires a minimum of 1,200 square feet for a two-bedroom house, a minimum of 1,500 square feet for three bedrooms and 1,800 for a four-bedroom house.
"Our kids who are first-time home buyers can't come to Auburn or Bainbridge anymore," Mr. Kitko said. The homes are not affordable for them, he said.
The zoning department had a couple come in whose children are grown, he said. They had a nice lot to build on and wanted a smaller house, he said. "They had to struggle to get the required footage."
In another case, a builder had plans for a ranch house and didn't want a lot of square footage, he said. It was difficult to make it work, Mr. Kitko said.
"We ought to look at how calculations are made," he said. "We shouldn't exclude a big foyer or laundry room."
People are looking to downsize, for a variety of reasons, including economic matters, lifestyle changes when children move away, to conserve on energy uses and the movement to go "green."
"Or they are first-time home buyers who can't afford a bigger house," Mr. Kitko said.
"It's tough to stay in Geauga County," he said of the costs involved. "I think we need to sit down and re-evaluate what's in our code.
"Maybe we don't need these big houses," he said. He cited one house at 4,000 square feet in the township.
In Russell Township, the typical house is 3,000 square feet, according to Russell Zoning Inspector Ric Machnics.
The township requires a minimum floor area of 1,500 square feet on the ground, regardless of the levels above it.
The size can be reduced to not less than 1,250 square feet if the basement height clears 6 feet and 9 inches. The basement must be equal to 60 percent of the floor area of the upper floors, according to zoning.
Russell is zoned for three- and five-acre lots, although some of the older subdivisions have smaller sizes.
Mr. Machnics said he has not had many people asking for the minimum of square footage for homes.
Building is showing signs of picking up, a trend he has seen since spring, he said.
In South Russell Village, Building Commissioner Dave Hocevar said the required minimum square footage is 2,000 square feet for a one-floor house and 2,400 square feet for more than one-floor homes.
The average size of the homes in the village is 2,600 square feet to 3,000 square feet, Mr. Hocevar said. A finished basement is included in the calculations of square footage. Garages are not counted in the minimum size.
Structures, driveways and parking areas cannot cover more than 35 percent of the lot, he said.
Most lots in the village are over one acre, and they average about 2 1/2 acres.
In Bainbridge, a house cannot be less than 1,200 square feet. The calculations do not include basements, porches or garages, according to Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Shane Wrench.
"Not many ask for the minimum size," he said. Many homes are 4,000 square feet and more, he said. A recent application calls for a 7,000-square-foot house.
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