WACO, TX — Shipping container homes could become more popular in Waco as local home builders are working on the first 320 square foot project now.
It's a new and innovated way to live. The one bedroom, one bath space will have a fully equipped washer, dryer, walk in closet and a full kitchen.
When Jim Roberts, the general contractor, was presented with the idea, he was excited to take on the project.
"I thought it was pretty interesting, I read they were doing them in other cities," Roberts said. "I thought it would be cool to try it out and if it works there's a lot of opportunity here in Waco."
David Hochhaus came up with the idea, a local real estate investor. He says he's already had some inquires regarding the home but is planning to use it as a rental.
They have been working on this home since June of 2018 and hope to finish it this summer.
Although getting permits and regulation took a little longer than a normal home, the amount of time its taken to build and construct the inside of the home was cut in half.
"For the amount of time that we spent over here working it's gone probably twice as fast as a regular house," said Hochhaus.
Neighbor Darren Smiley was shocked to see it first come up, not realizing it would be later lived in. Now, he's open to the idea.
"I'd stay in it. You got a lot of people out here that really can't afford a home and something like that. It might just be one person and it will work for them y'know," Smiley said.
Waco City Council has asked planning and zoning to create an ordinance to regulate how future shipping container homes are built.
That ordinance is being presented in a public hearing to the planning commission on March 26 at 7 p.m. at the Bosque Theater in the Waco Convention Center.
The planning commission will vote on a recommendation to then present the ordinance to city council. They will then review it in a second public hearing during the April 16 meeting.
"Because its a different type of construction material you do have concerns about it being compatible with your more traditional stick built structures," said Clint Peters, City of Waco Planning Director.
Peters wasn't surprised when he heard the new home trend making its way to Waco. It's just making sure they meet city guidelines.
"I think if they're done well it could be an asset to the community," Peters said.
For information on the proposed ordinance being looked over by the planning commission can be found here.
