Detached Garage with Attached Apartment

[zeug]

Hello,

I have been around these forums for a while now and thought I would introduce myself and a little bit about my summer garage project. My name is Kent and I'm in the Colorado Springs area.

I currently have a house in a pretty nice neighborhood, but have been keeping an eye out for a good deal on a lot with a bit more room for a detached garage and the chance to build a house my way. Although I really like my current house, it was frustrating for me to deal with a tract home builder and their limited options.

Well, I found a great deal and we just closed on a 2.5 acre lot not far from from us now. It has plenty of ponderosa pine trees over most of the lot and a seasonal creek running across the front of the property. It's at the end of a cul-du-sac with other lots to the left and park/open space on the other two sides.

Because the tax assessment for my county is 30% for land without livable space and only 7.9% for land with, my plan is to build a detached garage with an apartment over it this summer. This will reduce my taxes this year as I plan the house over the coming few years.

Anyways, I have found a few garages here that are similar to what I am thinking, but of course nothing that is exactly what I want. I am hoping to discuss and work through my wish list on thes pages and hopefully find some good input as well. It should be a fun process. For now I'll try to post a few pics and then detail my thoughts in subsequent posts. Please don't hesitate to chime in anytime with advise or criticism. I'm not easily offended.

Thanks,

Kent

 

[zeug]

Ok, first question: Best procedure for attaching photos from iPad?

I am finding Picasa doesn't play well with my iPad and I prefer to surf on the pad and not have to boot up my laptop.

Thx

 

[Mmfh]

Can't help with the iPad deal, but Welcome to GJ! Looking forward to all the pics you are going to show us of your great new place.

 

[zeug]

Thansk for the welcome Mmfh. My in-laws are in Portland. I love visiting in the summer.

My first attemp at adding a picture. My lot is at the end of the cul-du-sac. The space behind me and to the right of me is the county park. They keep it natural with only single track trails for improvements. Hopefully the pic is not too large.

 

[Zeke]

Man, lots of work. No drive and I assume no on lot improvements of any kind. What do you do about sewer? I bet with the stream and the topo leading to your neighbor to the left, you have some figuring to do. I don't know, I'm not a rural builder.

AFA temporary living vs. a permanent apt., you have a lot of options. For temp, I'd put the bath on the ground floor, sleep on the 2nd and turn the 2nd into something else once the house is built.

I had a friend that pulled a large trailer up to the side of his new garage and used it as the kitchen and bedroom. The living space was in the garage with a wood stove. he and his wife lived there until the house was ready to move in. No kids, so it was painless and cheaper.

Sold the trailer for near what he paid.

 

[zeug]

Zeke,

Not sure I could get away with living in the Garage before the house is built. With four kids and a wife, I would probably get laughed out of my current home. I had thought about driving our toy hauler up there during the summer as a makeshift construction trailer. Then it occured to me that would be a prime target for a break in.

This property is only 8 min from our house now, so no need to move yet. The garage with living space is only to reduce taxes. My little brother may move up there to keep an eye on things at night if needed.

Natural Gas, Electricity, and Fiber are at the front of the lot. I will need to get a bridge/culvert installed soon and then cut for the driveway. I am currently working with a friend who is a CE/Planner to develop the site plan. Then off to the architect for the garage plans. I am putting my requirements for the garage together now, and will get that posted hopefully tonight.

K

 

[Thedoc14]

SO are both the red lots yours? Doesn't look like much water would be in that creek unless you had a huge down pour. Lucky you have all amenities at the lot.

 

[zeug]

SO are both the red lots yours? Doesn't look like much water would be in that creek unless you had a huge down pour. Lucky you have all amenities at the lot.

I wish! My lot is on the right. Left lot is a good friend of mine. No water in the creek unless it rains. The cul-du-sac is the lowest part of the road and so collects the run off and diverts it through our lot.

Got a bit distracted at work, but am now back to working with the site planner and architect. Initial site layout is to put the house and garage on the back part of the lot to get a south west exposure for the rear of the house. North is just about directly up on this picture.

In case you are wondering, the house is the larger footprint