Cottage Homes could be coming to North Central Washington, here’s what they are!
The City of Chelan is considering how and where to allow Cottage Homes in Chelan as part of its update of housing and zoning in Chelan this year. I am on the citizen advisory group for this project.
Today, I noticed a Wall Street Journal article with the above video that describes a couple of these projects in Seattle and Boston.
The designers of the Moon family house, Ross Chapin and Jim Soules, think small in a way that is practically un-American. They build tract houses that are half the size of the average U.S. home and cost a lot more per square foot. What is surprising is how quickly they sell them. The men are building their fortunes with buyers willing to pay more for less. Customers, such as the Moons, say they prefer taking up less room and using less energy. - WSJ
If you’re thinking that these small homes are “affordable housing,” they are not designed for low income owners. These 800 to 1500 square foot homes are prices similar to homes twice the size, at half of the density.
The small-home buyers are a mix of single professionals, young families and retired empty-nesters. While aspirants to the traditional American Dream seek ever bigger, more secluded homes, residents here say they prefer making do with less. Getting to know the neighbors is a bonus. Todd Staheli and his wife are raising two daughters in a 998-square-foot house surrounded by people they greet by name. “There are a lot of eyes on them as they ride their scooters and bikes,” says Mr. Staheli. - WSJ
It is a different twist on housing. Since it is something being considered for this area, it is worth a look and your comments here on the blog and with the City of Chelan as well as county planning projects. If this is something you would like, or not, next to you, speak up!
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