Katrina Cottage in Forest Lake

[AAbsolute]

I grew up in 960 sq/ft. There were two of us sometimes and sometimes 6. It was ok..

I can appreciate that. I lived in 484 square feet in Rosemary Beach for about a year. There was nothing wrong with that. We sure had to use the space wisely.

I didn't know Forest Lakes would allow a principle structure to be 1,200 square feet. Most neighborhoods have a minimum square footage requirement.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I'm just wondering how the Katrina Cottages will fit in with building restrictions in Forest Lakes.

 

[Kurt]

I was talking to architect Tim Tricker [SoWal: Uncle Timmy] the other night about Katrina Cottages. He is looking in to purchasing some for SoWal lots from www.greensteelhomes.com at about $100/sf installed. You pay sewer, electric hookups and foundation / site work.

 

[AAbsolute]

I'm just wondering how the Katrina Cottages will fit in with building restrictions in Forest Lakes.

I read the community doc DRB doc's online and didn't find anything based on square footage, but it may be under a different passage in the community doc's. I did see that they have a restriction on Builders and Architects. I'm not sure Lowes or Andres Duany are approved Florida Architects.

The Katrina Cottages might be a privelege only enjoyed by the Developer and not the average lot Owner. Does anyone know if I can buy a lot in Forest Lakes and bring in one of those Cottages?

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

I did not bookmark the page, but read earlier that the Katrina Cottage is designed to be a temporary residence. The cost based on the Lowe's package is $100 per SF. No idea as to finishes, construction, appliances, etc., but that does not sound like a wonderful deal.

The builder at the linked website offers to build cottages for a little over $100 per SF. I don't know the builder or anything about his reputation or methods but one has to wonder about the Katrina Cottage pricing, especially if they are shotgun houses.

http://steveingramhomes.com/cottageplans.html

$100 sq. ft. is not a real great price for a Katrina Cottage-type house. Many local builders could do similar for much less with better quality. The appeal of the Katrina Cottage is that they are quick to build and obviously time is of the essence when families are displaced from their homes. For a developer interested in placing Katrina Cottages, it basically cuts the builder out of the equation. The developer would work a deal with a builder (or licensed engineer) to permit the cottage for a much smaller fee than if the home was stick built. Then work crews come in and put the thing together. It is cheaper for the developer, but an individual wanting a small cottage could do better with something site built locally.

 

[yippie]

Does anyone know more about green steel homes? Know anyone who has ever done business with them?

I was talking to architect Tim Tricker [SoWal: Uncle Timmy] the other night about Katrina Cottages. He is looking in to purchasing some for SoWal lots from www.greensteelhomes.com at about $100/sf installed. You pay sewer, electric hookups and foundation / site work.

 

[PalmBeach]

$100 sq. ft. is not a real great price for a Katrina Cottage-type house. Many local builders could do similar for much less with better quality. The appeal of the Katrina Cottage is that they are quick to build and obviously time is of the essence when families are displaced from their homes. For a developer interested in placing Katrina Cottages, it basically cuts the builder out of the equation. The developer would work a deal with a builder (or licensed engineer) to permit the cottage for a much smaller fee than if the home was stick built. Then work crews come in and put the thing together. It is cheaper for the developer, but an individual wanting a small cottage could do better with something site built locally.

I've got a couple of small lots in Laguna Beach in PCB and would consider building a couple of small cottages because they would probably be easier to sell than vacant lots. Who are the "many local builders" you refer to?

 

[scooterbug44]

The Katrina cottage is cute, but not very effective for long term use and not very cost effective IMO.

I think at one point Lowe's was offering them for $75K a kit NOT INCLUDING foundation - not a cheap thing.

 

[Bobby J]

I think my family could live quite comfortable in a 1200 sq foot home as long as our garage is 1000 sq. feet!

 

[AAbsolute]

Does anyone know yet if it's true that you can bring in a Katrina Cottage to Forest Lake? It doesn't sound like it fits in with their A R B doc's for a number of varying reasons.