GGG Potential property to develop near Monroe Oregon

07/05/2026

Hi everyone. I haven't posted anything for a while, but Facebook tells me lots of people have been looking at the page. So I feel I need to say, Im stepping back from this for a moment to re-assess whether I should let it go or not. The path is not crystal clear yet, too many steps, too much time and/or too much $ for the people who have connected with me so far. I have not been able to connect with the county yet to get further info. And, that would clearly be the next step. But, work has been a little extra demanding lately, and I've been questioning how much more energy I should put into this. So, I will hold off posting again until I have some more concrete info to give. As always, your thoughts/input/feedback are invited. Be well everyone.

06/16/2026

Hi Everyone. Just a couple of notes from the property visit yesterday.

I've gotten a lot of information from queries on the internet about what should be possible on this land. But, people have questioned some of that info. So, it is clear I need to now contact the county planning dept. to get confirmation, or perhaps correction, on the info I've found - particularly regarding partitioning, how many houses could actually be on the lots, what size houses (minimum & max square footage), how much size difference is needed between single family home and ADU, any info they might already have on septic and/or well capacities for the area, the possibility of a non-profit womens housing Co-op there, and more. I'm hoping to contact the county this week and/or next.

We already know one neighbor would like to go in on the purchase in order to "own" the 2 acre parcel which they are currenly leasing and using for their livestock. It's now possible another neighbor might be interested in another 2 acres at the lowest end of the property next to their home. We heard yesterday that low end (though not in a flood zone) does sometimes get standing water during heavy rains - likely due to clay soils. So, that might be a win-win if the neighbor wants to purchase it.

That would leave the six acres (3 lots) on the high end of the property available for a 6 small house community if my internet info is correct. That might be more sustainable for the land and it may make it easier to find a core group who are interested in this project.

I get a lot of questions about timelines and costs. Honestly, I don't have all the concrete answers at this point. And, that is making a lot of people nervous. I'd like to invite people to do some investigating of their own with specific questions of interest and I'd love to hear what you find. Try and phrase questions with as much detail as you can by including things like "in Benton county Oregon", "near Monroe Oregon", on "10 acres zoned RR2 (Rural Residential) in Benton County Oregon", "in Jory Silty Loam soil", "outside the urban growth boundary (UGB)", etc. I'm still researching and fine tuning, but I also work full time and have a home, and bills, and pets, and car issues, and my health to manage. So, I'm usually on the computer late after work looking stuff up.

We know it will be over a 2 year process to partition, install infrastructure and build homes. Though, likely the first couple houses could start going up the first year. The others would need to wait till the partitioning is done the following year.

The cost to buy the land is the beginning. A high estimate I've come accross is about $60,000 per acre ($120,000 per 2 acre lot) for the purchase plus partitioning over 2 years.

Little side note: I've been watching zillow for a while. And, what few small (1-2 acre) lots there are on the market, in this area, with residential zoning, outside the city, are usually over $100,000 per acre with no infrastructure.

Then the infrastructure (wells, septic, driveway and electricity) will need to be added. Google says:
-Shared well, pump and pressure tank for 2 small houses - $15-30,000
-septic system for 2 small homes - $20-45,000
-shared gravel driveway for 6 small homes spanning 6 acres - $30-90,000
-electricity from street to a 900 square foot home - $4500-15,000

These infrastructure ranges plus the $60,000/per acre to purchase and partition bring the cost range to about $87,000-127,500 per acre/house (these are based on 900 square foot homes on Jory silty loam soils off Orchard Tract road in the foothills NE of Monroe Oregon). There may be some other relatively small costs I'm not aware of, but these should be the biggest ticket items. I think the testing that would be contingencies before closing should help to fine tune these costs. But, this is what I can give you at the moment.

From here, I think everyone should research and determine for themselves what kind of home they want to build and how much they want to spend. But keep in mind it must be on a foundation - not on wheels. I want to explore a shed to home conversion. That's another thing I want to question the county about.

Ok, I'm going to stop for now and put myself to bed.
Goodnight All!

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06/09/2026

Here is Benny's Pizza Joint on a map for reference. I will try to be there around 12:30-ish to watch for people. Anyone have a large car who wouldn't mind giving people a ride to the property?

06/08/2026

Hi Everyone! Just want to let you know we WILL be going back out to see this property again, with the real estate agent, on this Sunday afternoon (the 14th). I'm just waiting for a confirmed time. Please let me know if you'd like to come. Parking is tight, so it is best if we meet in Monroe and carpool over to the property - about 5 minutes away. And, it would be great is we could all have a little meet and greet afterward to share some thoughts. I will give more details later this week.

06/08/2026

Small update today. Here is the 2 acre portion the neighbor would be interested in if purchasing with us (outlined in blue on left). This includes all the outbuilding which they are currently leasing as well as the little corner that access the pond. That would leave 8 acres of open, slightly sloped field for the rest of us (outlined in light green on right).

06/06/2026

Hi All: For any of you who have been following my posts on the 10 acre lot near Monroe Oregon (Willamette Valley), I have a little update.
I spoke with the real estate agent, Casey, today who had just spoken with the woman, Mellissa, who owns the house next to the lot. Mellissa is currently leasing the lot, barn and workship for her livestock. She is very interested in possibly joining in on the purchase of the lot so that she could actually own 2-4 acres of it (instead of leasing) and continue to graze her animals there. That would leave 6-8 acres for a group of us to put up to 6-8 small houses on foundations (after partitioned to 2 acre lots and providing the land is capable of supporting the wells and septic systems). And, there would be plenty of room left for gardens, food forest, animals, community space, studios, . . . so many options. Each lot can have 1 primary house and 1 ADU. And, each 2 acre lot could be transferred into private ownership after the partition - or remain wholly or partially community owned and maintained. This would be determined by the group making the purchase. In previous posts on the GGG page and this page, I've already listed some information on types of ownership, estimated costs, some timelines and other info I've found so far. So, I won't take the time and space to restate all that here. But, feel free to check my previous posts for more info. Right now the next steps are: Casey is going to set up a 3-way phone call so that Mellissa, Casey and I can all chat in more detail (so far, Mellissa and I have not met). I am going to try and take a day off work to go visit the Benton county planning office to see if I can get some questions answered, and Casey is going to set up another site visit for people who would like to go look again, or did not make it out the first time. Right now we're shooting for early afternoon on Sunday 6/14. But, that still needs to be finalized. So, please let me know if you would like to go out and take a look and/or are potentially interersted in this property with us. I will keep posting as more info becomes available. Thanks everyone!
[https://www.zillow.com/.../Ta-201552.../462416907_zpid/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zillow.com%2Fhomedetails%2FTa-201552-Orchard-Tract-Rd-Monroe-OR-97456%2F462416907_zpid%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSUJpdWtyWnd3VGdRV0g3QnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5rHz4PLvL7Vz7utPpv0QW-OLC3uFTwfJYnzSc40vSiF99IuWBrXuFsX0KWAA_aem_F8MENyO_wj056rOcrVni2A&h=AUBqOMaUMHkWJQgd-cME6XJYy8E8FsuAIOTKb5jo8mJ4cqS4DaFkOm4YTqeRA5-ZPdykVhTk6-TucpJeSqZvoC_8eX7gGPvesU50baUEOCO7Dw9shC5QdciwQdKpBg0ZH3geQSZNxgqg5wMz&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUAfhEYJ5KTl10fcO1B5zjDSo3V-5Rm8e-t_KxEC0qGhCLlNqwxl2-ErusBt8iWXJForpQETXz5MCKa_zP_LcILHcmUWtPLLZIy3q-vJpTzk5GakR9Gc9YG4npFVcju1beRkbPwtqOpWttyG1HIuGap1mGUpmitHNmFJAnXP695g-Lc)
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06/05/2026

Hello to everyone who is following! Just in case anyone has come here looking for new updates in the last few days, I am waiting on some information from the RE agent regarding the questions in my post after the site visit. And, I will update once I hear back from her. 🤞🙂

06/02/2026

Thank you Lisa Kay Edwards! She told me about a new Oregon law that trumps the county regarding how many UNrelated people can share a home. There is no limit based on relationship. The real limit depends on how many bedrooms. That's a different ballgame! . . .

My query: How many unrelated people can share a home in Oregon? Does the state trump the county on this?

Oregon state law completely supersedes local county or city zoning codes regarding the relationship of occupants, effectively making it illegal for local jurisdictions to enforce limits on unrelated people. [1, 2]
State vs. County/City Law
• State Preemption: In Oregon, state law (under ORS 90.112) strictly prohibits any local government (city or county) from establishing or enforcing maximum occupancy limits based on familial or nonfamilial relationships.
• The Bottom Line: Your county cannot legally limit how many unrelated people can live in your home. [1]
The Real Limits: Bedrooms and Landlords
Even though the state prevents local governments from enforcing rules about who is related, there are still two practical boundaries for how many people can share a home: [1]
1. Building Codes & Health Standards: Maximum occupancy is dictated by objective structural and safety regulations, such as fire codes and square footage limitations, rather than family status. [1, 2, 3, 4]
2. Landlord & Tenancy Rules: If you rent your home, your landlord has the legal right to set occupancy limits—but they must be applied reasonably. Under Oregon rental law (ORS 90.262), a landlord’s occupancy guideline generally cannot be more restrictive than two people per bedroom. [1]
Fair Housing Guidelines
The Fair Housing Council of Oregon recommends a standard calculation of "two people per bedroom plus one additional person" per household. For example, a three-bedroom house would legally and reasonably accommodate up to seven occupants.

AND . . .

Query 2: Is there a limit to how many bedrooms a single family home can have in Oregon. Does the state trump the county on this?

There is no state-imposed limit on the number of bedrooms a single-family home can have in Oregon. State laws (like House Bill 2583) actually prohibit local governments from enforcing arbitrary occupancy caps not tied to square footage. [1, 2]
State vs. County Authority
State law generally trumps county and city zoning regulations regarding overarching housing capacity and occupancy restrictions. The State of Oregon sets a regulatory floor, meaning counties and cities must comply with state housing mandates. [1, 2]
What Actually Limits Bedroom Count
Instead of an arbitrary statewide cap, the size of a home is governed by a combination of other practical, state-regulated factors:
• Building and Fire Codes: State building codes limit the square footage requirements and fire safety regulations per bedroom (e.g., each bedroom must have adequate emergency egress, such as an operable window). [1, 2]
• Septic or Sewer Capacity: If the home relies on a septic system, local environmental health departments (which enforce state DEQ rules) will limit the number of bedrooms based on the size and capacity of the septic drain field. [1]
• Zoning & Lot Coverage: Local counties still dictate setbacks, building height, and lot coverage. You can build as many bedrooms as you can legally fit while remaining within these spatial boundaries and obtaining the necessary building permits.
For site-specific information, you should check with your local county's building or planning department to see if your property's zoning or wastewater capabilities impose specific restrictions.

06/02/2026

I was able to find out the name of the vineyard that is across the street from this property and a little info about them that looks encouraging . . . but still need to actually find out actual status of the soil and water. . .

25060 Orchard Tract Rd, Monroe, OR, 97456-9455

Whybra Vineyards LLC is a family-owned winery nestled in the heart of Monroe, Oregon. Specializing in crafting high-quality wines, the vineyard prides itself on its dedication to traditional winemaking techniques.
With a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, Whybra Vineyards LLC is committed to producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley. Visitors can enjoy tastings and tours of the vineyard, immersing themselves in the beauty of the Oregon wine country.
Generated from their business information
===========================================
Whybra Vineyards is a small-batch, family-owned winery in Monroe, Oregon, focused on traditional winemaking. They practice environmental stewardship to preserve the local Willamette Valley terroir. Because they operate on a boutique scale, their methods are highly hands-on and tailored to the local ecosystem. [1, 2, 3]
Like many sustainably-focused estate vineyards in the Willamette Valley, typical stewardship practices at a micro-farm level include:
• Minimal Chemical Inputs: Utilizing organic farming techniques and natural composts instead of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. [1, 2]
• Natural Pest Management: Encouraging biodiversity by installing nesting boxes to attract native raptors (such as owls) to manage rodent populations naturally. [1, 2]
• Water Conservation & Soil Health: Employing methods like dry farming (or highly targeted drip irrigation) and sowing cover crops between vine rows to prevent soil erosion and promote beneficial insects. [1, 2, 3]
Because Whybra operates privately without a public-facing website, official or certified regional sustainability awards and detailed public policies can be verified through broader statewide and local networks. You can research their commercial presence through the Oregon Secretary of State or discover other eco-friendly vineyards using the Heart of Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Pass. [
=======================================
Whybra Vineyard is a family-owned estate winery located at 25060 Orchard Tract Rd in Monroe, Oregon. They specialize in sustainably farmed, Willamette Valley estate-grown Pinot Noir, highlighting the unique terroir of the region. Key highlights of Whybra Vineyard:
-The Wine: Their flagship Estate Grown Pinot Noir is known for its earthy, layered, and complex flavor profile typical of the Willamette Valley.
-History: While some vines were established earlier, Whybra has historically supplied premium fruit to select vintners in the valley, including esteemed labels like LaVelle Vineyards.
-Tasting & Vibe: Situated in the rural foothills just outside of Monroe, the surrounding area is known for its quiet, sweeping views and rich agricultural land.

06/01/2026

Hi Willamette Valley Oregonians! Just a little followup to yesterday's viewing of the property near Monroe. 4 of us were able to make it out there with the RE agent. It's beautiful for sure with lovely views. But for now, no one is ready to take the plunge. Some questions and concerns were raised and I'm going to do some more research. But we had a LOVELY meet n greet at Barney's Pizza place afterward . . .lots of good discussion and we shared/compared some visions and where we're each at in the process. Thanks Karen, Maureen, and Laura. It was a good day in my book. Michelle and Liza, sorry you couldn't make it this time.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/Ta-201552-Orchard-Tract-Rd-Monroe-OR-97456/462416907_zpid/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSEo9ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXSDVaejFlSDVaMDdpcFNNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmXPaA3pCbjg9QqisIa5x74xZ65FDSd-8dKbG6I0LDuK4wbl1YJxfOb8s9d__aem_0HxTydtrvJPmjBVp6y2jeg

A couple points that came up . . .

- it's about 5 minutes to the small town of Monroe, but 10-15 minutes to Junction City which would be the closest large grocery store . There is also urgent care, many restaurants, the Scandinavian Festival, and other things there. But, the closest hospital would be Corvallis or Eugene - both about 20-30 minutes away.

-Apparently there is some sort of drain from the neighbors property onto the 10 acre lot for sale. So our agent is checking for more info on that . . . Location and purpose.

-We found out the woman in the house next to the property currently has a lease on the 10 acre lot till the end of the year and has a few cows, sheep, and pigs on there right now. She was a bit upset when the lot owner suddenly put it up for sale without telling her. But, there may be positive solutions . . . The lease could easily be honored through the end of the year and then a new one negotiated. Or, it was mentioned she might be interested in buying part of the land as well. Once it's all partitioned, the separate lots can be sold or transferred into private ownership to one of the original buyers. So, I've asked our agent, Casey, to check if she (the neighbor) would be interested in explorong going in on the purchase with us. Her portion would include the barn and workshop which she is currently using . . . And probably the portion with drain on it. If she were to purchase 2-4 of the 10 acres, that would still leave room for 6-8 homes on the 6-8 remaining acres.

- still need to confirm the capacity for wells and septic on the land, and I'm a little concerned if there may be any issue with the water and/or soil quality due to possible runoff from the neighboring vineyard. Those would all be contingencies in any offer. I'm wondering if there's a way to research this more prior to any offer made.

-Another question thrown out was, "is their a minimum size for a home in that area?". So I googled. And the info I get is, there is no minimum square footage enforced by Benton county. But, Oregon state has an absolute minimum of 190 square feet. We can reconfirm that with the county planning dept if we get to that point. But it does have to be attached to a foundation.

- A couple other tidbits I recently discovered:
A) there is a limit of 5 "unrelated" individuals allowed to live on each lot spread between a single family dwelling and an ADU. But there is no limit on "related" peopl. And one "related" group is equal to 1 of the "unrelated" people. So, for instance, a married couple and child could live with up to 4 other unrelated people. The family acts as 1 unit of the 5 unrelated people. Hope that makes sense.

UPDATE: PER NEW OREGON LAW, THERE IS NO LIMIT ON NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS DUE TO RELATIONSHIP STATUS. THERE IS ONLY A LIMIT BASED ON NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY TO HANDLE THE QUANTITY OF PEOPLE. I MADE A SEPARATE POST WITH MORE DETAILS :)

B) "short" term rental (less than 30 days like AirB&B) can be done with a room within the single family home, but not the entire home. And not an ADU, THOW, RV, tent or anything outside the main house. However an ADU or main house can be "long" term rentals.

-One last point I'll mention is that someone said property taxes are higher in Benton County than say Lane county. I did not know that but it is, in fact, true. So might be something to consider.

So, all in all, it was a very enjoyable and informational day I think. I felt every woman there had something to contribute, and I thank you all for joining me

This is a Vacant Land. It is located at Ta 201552 Orchard Tract Rd, Monroe, OR.