by Eli Spevak | May 3, 2019 | Uncategorized
Over the past year, I’ve been working with AARP to research and write “The ABCs of ADUs – A guide to Accessory Dwelling Units – and how they expand options for people of all ages.” It’s now finished, and you can visit www.aarp.org/ADUs to download it or order free...
by Eli Spevak | Aug 15, 2018 | Uncategorized
Check out this sweet little video we just wrapped up, featuring Cully Grove (2013), Mason St. Townhomes (2018), and Cully Green (2020). Big thanks to Zach Shapiro and his team at www.onehundredseconds.com for pulling this together. And here’s a Blast from...
by Eli Spevak | Jul 20, 2018 | Uncategorized
Mason Street TownhomesNow Available in Cully Launching Orange Splot’s newest Community!5830-5900 NE Mason StreetPortland, OR 9721814 privately-owned homeswith shared space + resourceslocated in NE Portland’s Cully neighborhood. More details at...
by Eli Spevak | Jun 23, 2018 | Uncategorized
Please join us to launch the Mason Street Townhomes with an Open House and Kick-Off Party. 3-6pm on Friday June 29th 5900 NE Mason Street, Portland, OR 97218 Ice Cream and Refreshments served More info. about the homes at www.masonstpdx.com. Hope to see you there!...
by Eli Spevak | Mar 8, 2018 | Uncategorized
Hello Everyone! We’ve got a lot of news to share on the project and policy fronts and have provided plenty of links for those who can take it. PROJECTS Mason St. Townhomes It’s coming together! All buildings are up, siding is nearly wrapped, and internal paths...
by Eli Spevak | Oct 3, 2016 | Uncategorized
Hello! This is the first general update in a while, so there’s lots to share on both the project and policy fronts. You can click on links and photos for more info. PROJECTS FOR SALE: Farmhouse and Cottage at Applewood Corner Love gardening? Community...
by Eli Spevak | Jul 30, 2016 | Uncategorized
My View: Infill project a good first step on housing (Re-posted from Portland Tribune, 7/26/16) Will the Residential Infill Project “destroy, densify and displace neighborhoods?” as claimed in “My View: Infill project breaches public trust” (by Robin Harman,...
by Eli Spevak | Jul 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
Orange Splot is pleased to share a report entitled: “Character-Compatible, Space-Efficient Housing Options for Single-Dwelling Neighborhoods,” researched and prepared under a contract with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in support of the State of Oregon’s...
by Eli Spevak | Apr 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
Portland is blessed with a strong environmental ethos and thriving re-use culture. But this often fails to extend to our construction sector, which can contribute more than 25% of the materials that end up in our region’s landfills. Nationwide, the EPA estimates...
by Eli Spevak | Jun 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
Neighbors bemoan the demolition of older homes and the scale of new ones – and worry for the character of their neighborhoods. Demographers see the trend toward more and smaller households – and wonder where they’ll be able to find enough right-sized...
by Eli Spevak | Jun 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
Here’s a short description of a new mortgage product feature Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac could offer that would create new home ownership opportunities for non-traditional buyer groups and help people in certain situations (ie. divorce; shifting family...
by Eli Spevak | Jun 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
That’s a mouthful! I’ll try and unpack this into morsel sized bites… The idea: Unfortunately, the State of Oregon outlaws inclusionary zoning policies, which would allow cities to require new residential developments over a certain size to include a small percentage...
by Eli Spevak | May 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
With several awesome helpers, I’ll be leading a bike tour, scavenger hunt and photo-inventory of “Missing Middle” housing types as part of Pedalpalooza 2015. Here’s a link to this particular ride, with details below. Meeting spot: Colonel...
by Eli Spevak | Apr 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
Here’s a short piece I wrote that was recently featured in the American Institute of Architect’s “Blueprints for Senior Living” on-line magazine. The theme for this issue was “Intergenerational Solutions.” Click here for the full...
by Eli Spevak | Jan 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
Thanks to several meetings and constructive discussions with neighbors and policy makers on my proposal to bump up density around the borders of neighborhood parks, I’ve crafted this updated proposal for inclusion in Portland’s Comprehensive Plan: (1) The...
by Eli Spevak | Nov 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
My co-editors (Martin Brown and Kol Peterson) at AccessoryDwellings.org and I have been learning a lot about ADU codes and development over the past couple years. We’ve noticed that: Lots of ADU codes that were adopted throughout the country 10-15 years ago are...
by Eli Spevak | Oct 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Proposal. Create a legal path for the occupancy of small accessory structures or homes-on-wheels that meet sanitary and life safety requirements drawn from Portland’s Property Maintenance code and Oregon Landlord-Tenant law. To be legally occupied, a tiny home would...
by Eli Spevak | Oct 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
Back in 2007, I used the condominium legal structure in order to sell ADUs independently from the primary dwellings on two side-by-side lots for the Sabin Green development. I thought at the time that this might become a more common development model, as lot &...
by Eli Spevak | Aug 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
(Printed in the Oregonian as “Portland should increase residential density around parks” on 9/14/14) When Portland makes major public investments in transit corridors, we update zoning to allow more people to live nearby. With neighborhood parks? Apparently not....
by Eli Spevak | Apr 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Want to build a small structure on your Portland property? You’re definitely not alone. Depending on the structure size, construction type and use, it could be classified in various ways. This table covers the basics for: Accessory dwelling units (detached...
