Scott Wartman

swartman@enquirer.com

Do you want to live in a shipping container? What about living next to one?

A local business owner has proposed building a home out of two shipping containers on a vacant lot in Covington's west side, spurring debate on whether this is appropriate for a neighborhood with buildings dating back to before the Civil War.

Shipping containers modified with windows, decks and trendy decor have served as thrifty and hip homes in urban areas around the country. But it would be new to Covington.

"We have the spaceship, and now a shipping container " said City Manager Larry Klein, referring to Covington's landmark house that resembles a spaceship.

Covington's Urban Design Review Board will review the application for two shipping container plots to be put side-by-side on a grass lot at 307 Orchard Street. City staff has recommended against it until more detailed plans can be submitted. The UDRB will make a recommendation. The Covington City Commission has final say.

Shipping container homes can meet city historic guidelines if done right, a city staff report found.

"Overwhelmingly, the designs are unique, contemporary architectural expressions," the report stated. "There is, however, concern that if not executed properly, a shipping container home can resemble typical, pre-fabricated housing."

Jarod Theobald, owner of flow, a men's clothing shop, is the developer. The property is owned by non-profit community development organization Center for Great Neighborhoods.

Theobald was unavailable for comment Monday.

The Center for Great Neighborhoods hasn't approved the project yet and is awaiting to see whether the city approves of it and whether there's significant opposition from the neighborhood, said Tom DiBello, executive director of the Center for Great Neighborhoods.

"We've given him permission to go out and test the waters to see if it can happen," DiBello said. "We're not wanting to do something everyone hates."

The debate has split the neighborhood.

Some see it as an innovative way to bring young homeowners into the city. Westside neighborhood resident Dan Streicher thinks these homes can be a good addition to the neighborhood. Streicher has a business interest in attracting people to Covington as founder of development firm Curb in Covington.

"Smaller homes are certainly just a way of life, especially in the urban areas," Streicher said. "We need to be doing what we can to get people in the area and stop being so picky how we get there."

Other residents have concerns. Westside resident Fritz Kuhlman isn't against container homes. But he doesn't like the plan to put them side-by-side. To conform with the neighborhood's historic guidelines, they should be stacked on top of each other so they're closer in height to the rest of the neighborhood, he said.

While the asking price for the container home was not known, Kuhlman is concerned it will be dramatically lower than the surrounding homes, bringing down the surrounding property values.

Kuhlman said he's open to the idea. After all, that same block on Orchard Street has a plot used as an "urban farm" with chickens and some crops. Also, a row of houses across the street were built by the Center for Great Neighborhoods to market toward artists.

"It can be an exciting concept," Kuhlman said. "It is not like I want to see every house in town that way. I'm not against innovation. The west side of town is known for its diversity and innovative approach to urban life. I don't want to discourage that."

The Urban Design Review Board had planned on hearing the proposal Monday. The plan was pulled due to a lack of quorum, but will likely come up in the near future, according to city staff.