The Gun Barrel City Council approved a replat of two lots in the Sundrift Subdivision May 23, 2017, over the objections of some residents who do not approve of the owner’s plans to market tiny homes there.

Joseph Hevey, Jr. asked the Gun Barrel City Council April 18, 2017, to replat two of his lots in Sundrift Division for the construction of a tiny house model home. The council tabled the agenda item pending further study.
The division is in the extra territorial jurisdiction of Gun Barrel City in Henderson County’s Precinct 2, and that gives the City Council regulatory powers over home building.

Gun Barrel City requires homes be a minimum of 800 square feet, but the council could issue a variance. Council members noted in approving the replat that the agenda issue did not relate to home size, and the homeowners’ association and residents would need to address that in a different forum

The Sundrift Property Owners Association objects to the tiny home development, and representatives said they planned to register their objections with the Henderson County Commissioners Court also. Court officials later heard the residents’ concerns, but they noted Gun Barrel City retains jurisdiction.

If Hevey is successful in gaining permission to build the development, he plans owner-financing. Some tiny homes are marketed on the internet at less than $10,000.

When Cedar Creek Lake was first developed in the late 1960s, many of the residential lots were small and designed for mobile homes.

Tiny homes were on display in Dallas at Fair Park April 21-23 for Earth Day. The styles ranged from 120 to 400 square feet and retailed for up to $35,000, depending on size and features. The developers promoted them as eco-friendly.
Many of the homes use reclaimed materials for construction and feature solar panels, water reclamation systems and composting toilets.