YACHATS — Two Yachats contractors are collaborating to build four long-term rentals on East Ninth Street in Yachats with the hope of possibly adding an additional four studios if and when the city passes an ordinance allowing additional dwelling units.
Lippincott Construction and North Pacific Woodwork began work on the project about a month-and-a-half ago, said owners Stephen Lippincott and John Connor, who are doing all the work themselves. The pair, along with another partner Andy Fyke, who plans to move to Yachats, own the 100-by-100-foot lot at 33 E. Ninth St. across U.S. Highway 101 from the Dollar General store.
“They will be affordable townhomes,” said Lippincott. “All long-term rentals, not vacation rentals is the goal.”
There will be four 1,600 square-foot units above four 400 square-foot garages, and if the city passes the ADU ordinance four more 400 square-foot studios will be added to the backside of the garages.
The total height of the build will be just under 30 feet and is expected to be completed in “at least a year,” Connor said.
The state has mandated that most municipalities allow ADU’s, but small, rural towns with less than 2,500 people are exempted. Yachats city planner Katherine Guenther said the planning commission would have to amend city codes to allow ADUs and then hold a public hearing.
Housing consultants who worked extensively with the planning commission this year recommended the city take up the ADU issue, along with a long list of other ideas to encourage more affordable housing.
“It is on our radar,” Guenther told YachatsNews. “But there is nothing on the calendar for when it will happen.”
— Garret Jaros/YachatsNews
