Cottage Cluster Feasibility Analysis

Milwaukie, OR | 2019

Milwaukie, Oregon wanted to broaden housing options in their city and had adopted code provisions specific to cottage cluster housing, but no developments had been proposed. Cascadia Partners was hired to evaluate the existing code and propose recommended changes that would improve both market feasibility and affordability.

Cascadia Partners outlined a community engagement strategy, facilitated meetings with a stakeholder advisory group, and organized public open houses to solicit input from residents. Then the firm performed a detailed audit of the existing cottage cluster code by gathering relevant market data, estimating potential financial returns, and identifying code standards that negatively impacted financial feasibility. In order to facilitate discussion of code updates, Cascadia Partners coordinated work with a team of designers to produce conceptual site designs for four specific properties. Using the lessons from these site designs and input from the community, Cascadia Partners drafted proposed new development and design standards to replace the existing cottage cluster code.

The project culminated in a final report which documented the code analysis, feasibility testing, site design concepts, and recommended code updates in an accessible and visually engaging manner. The study was well-received by the City Council and the City planned to incorporate the code amendments with the implementation of a Comprehensive Plan update in 2021.