Latest news with #JoeMiller
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
High school students build tiny homes to help solve Marin County's housing crisis
As housing prices continue to soar across the Bay Area, more residents are turning to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a potential solution to the ongoing housing shortage. On Saturday afternoon, a nonprofit organization teamed up with San Rafael High School to showcase two student-built ADUs, constructed from the ground up over the course of the academic year. "The square footage is 160, it's 8 feet by 20 feet," said San Rafael High School senior Joe Miller as he pointed to one of the compact homes. The completed units will soon be placed in Novato, where they'll provide permanent housing for two low-income families. Miller is one of 24 students who contributed to the year-long construction project, learning trade skills alongside six adult apprentices known as "learning leaders." Working under the guidance of the Big Skills Program—run by the nonprofit Rebuilding Together East Bay Network—the students gained hands-on experience in everything from framing to finish work. "This is the kitchen area, dining room as well. We have four pull-out cabinets, a couple of lower ones with some shelves on the bottom as well. And then underneath the sink, you have more storage for cleaning supplies," said Miller, giving a tour of the space. Every inch of the compact units is used with intention. The homes are fully equipped with heating, cooling, and convertible furniture to maximize functionality. "This comes up and then you've got this little stand right here. And then that comes up and then you pull out these little chairs and you can have yourself a nice dinner table," Miller added, demonstrating a fold-out dining space. The construction took the entire school year, from August to May, to complete. "We are so excited to be working in partnership with the Marin Housing Authority to place these units here in the backyards of low-income homeowners right here in Marin," said Program Director Sean Ticknor. Ticknor, who leads the Big Skills Program, emphasized the dual purpose of the initiative: giving students practical trade education while contributing to local affordable housing efforts. "This is not the solution, but it's part of the solution. This provides infill affordable housing in the existing space that we have," Ticknor explained. Each ADU costs about $65,000 in labor and materials, with an additional $40,000 to $60,000 required to place the unit on its permanent foundation and connect utilities, according to Ticknor. "Together, we built something that's going to help someone and probably change someone's life. I think everyone involved is going to walk away feeling a lot better," said learning leader Brandon Werly. For students like San Rafael High senior Wyld Owyeung, the program is not only a class, but preparation for future life skills. "I might own a property in the future. It's good to know what to expect in a house," said Owyeung, who spent two years in the Big Skills Program. Miller described the course as his favorite class in high school, largely because of the impact it will have. "You can't get that [sense of reward] in any other class in high school. That feeling you get when you see it being delivered. It's going to something better than yourself, going to someone in need. And it's just a great feeling to help out people," said Miller. He heads to college in the fall and hopes to one day run his own construction company.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Muslim group sues Hilliard over development denial
HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — The Noor Islamic Cultural Center filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Hilliard after the city rejected a zoning change for a vacant building the center purchased. The building in question is the former BMW office space on Britton Parkway, which has been sitting empty for nearly two years. Joe Miller, the attorney representing Britton Parkway Holding, said that in no way did the Noor Islamic Cultural Center want it to come to this, but Noor leaders decided it was time they stood up for themselves. Watch: JD Vance fumbles Buckeyes' national championship trophy 'You can imagine the Muslim community in central Ohio doesn't want to be in court,' he said. 'They want to be practicing their faith and enabling their members to have successful businesses and other enterprises at this building. That's been their only intent all along.' According to the 128-page court filing, the Noor Islamic Center is suing Hilliard for discrimination and violation of constitutional rights. Nearly a year ago, the Noor Islamic Center and Mosque invested millions of dollars to buy the former BMW Financial building on Britton Parkway, a building that had been vacant for two years. 'They want to rejuvenate the building in the city of Hilliard for both their benefit and the benefit of the residents of Hilliard,' Miller said. 'It's the most egregious example of overt discrimination in land use that I've seen in my over 25 years of practice. It's inexplicable.' Noor leaders said they have the vision to turn the 220,000-square-foot building into a mixed-use facility. That plan was rejected by the planning commission. What yes or no vote really means for Ohio Issue 2 in May election Miller said the city has tried to obstruct the project from happening at every turn. 'What the Noor Islamic Cultural Center has proposed conforms in every way to the city of Hilliard zoning code, and yet they were still denied and still don't have the free use of their private property,' he said. Back in November, after council members denied the proposal, they sent out a statement saying that the city embraces diversity in the community. The statement goes on to say, in part, 'Hilliard leaders negotiated diligently with Noor for the past ten months and have worked hard to accommodate their evolving plans, including allowing up to 56,000 square feet for school and event space… These efforts to accommodate were rejected by the applicant.' Hilliard City Councilmember Les Carrier said that while the lawsuit doesn't come as a surprise, he feels that this is a failure on the city's part. Polaris Fashion Place, other Ohio malls to be sold; corporate staff face layoffs 'I've always been proud of who, because we're unique,' he said. 'Look at old Hilliard. I mean, there's no density down there in old Hilliard, but we still have everyone coming there and it's a destination, you know, and I think we just do it a little differently and we could have with the Noor, we just chose not to. And I am concerned, you know, this attack on the religious piece of it. So very unfortunate.' While a court date has not been scheduled, Miller said Noor is seeking recovery of substantial damages as well as attorney's fees. Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall said she wishes she could comment on the lawsuit, but added she couldn't because it's pending litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
