A residential metal building? You don't see those everyday.

But David Lowe of Sevierville, Tennessee claims his 40-by-60-foot metal building, with two 12-by-12-foot garage doors, will be a house when it's complete. Don't buy it? The man will cook you breakfast in the structure as proof.

Lowe, a Sevier County roofing contractor, has received some unwanted attention from county planners since he purchased nearly five acres on Old Newport Highway last year. After buying the land, Lowe asked the county for a zoning change so he could put up a commercial steel building to sell used cars, boars and trailers on consignment.

But the county refused because of the nearby residential properties. Undaunted, Lowe moved ahead on the metal building that now sits behind a fence topped with barbed wire.

The shell is finished, but only after Lowe surmounted a stop-work order issued by the county. Sevier County planner Jeff Ownby said that once Lowe poured the concrete slab, suspicious neighbors said it didn't look like it was going to be a home.

"I went out and met with him on site, and he showed me his floor plan and how he's going to develop this [steel frame building] into a home," Ownby said.

When a reported from The Knoxville News visited last week, Lowe pointed out future locations of the living room, kitchen, appliances and even a hookup for the shower.

"What does a home consist of?" he asked. "I mean, it's going to have a bathroom. It's going to have a washer and dryer, a sink, living room, TV. What does your home have that this wouldn't have?"

One answer? Lumber. Thus far, the home is framed with metal beams, which certainly gives the appearance of a more commercial metal building use. On the other hand, even the county planner conceded there aren't any binding criteria that require the use of certain materials in a residence.

Lowe said the steel building was built in four days, and he spent only $18,000 on the exterior. He plans to get permits to build four more identical homes on the property. As for the original, Lowe figures he could market it for $200,000, and one selling point would be a 25-by-40-foot upstairs bedroom. He doesn't see why a buyer would not pay $200,000 for such an unorthodox design.

At a recent Planning Commission meeting, one commissioner complained the project was a "con job," but Lowe said skeptics are welcome to drop by when he's done. "I'll fix them a hamburger, hot dog, I'll fix them breakfast," he said.

SOURCE: The Knoxville News