LOS ANGELES—Planet Home Living is preparing toopen Gaspar, a collection of 10single-family homes in Echo Park, on November 22.The development was built under the Los Angeles Small LotOrdinance, and the homes, while detached, are only sixinches apart. Architecture firm KTGY Groupdesigned the development.

“The Small Lot Ordinance allows opportunities to develop a morecompact footprint and maximize the lot within existing multifamilyzones, all with ownership and long-term commitments to the existingneighborhood in mind,” Alan Scales, KTGY Studiodirector, tells GlobeSt.com. KTGY Group currently has 70 homesunder construction following the small lot ordinance and severalsingle-family and multifamily developments under construction as well. “Many neighborhoods in LosAngeles are starving for for-sale opportunities that are at anaffordable price point but without a shortage on quality. TheSmall Lot Ordinance creates fee-simple ownership rather than condoair space ownership, avoiding costly HOAs and providing additionalFHA loan program opportunities that can make home ownershipattainable,” Scales adds.

KTGY Group began designing the project in early 2012 with thegoal “to maximize views and livability.” The opening of the projectcoincides with the completion of phase one. Phase two is beginningnow, and is scheduled for completion in 2015. Two of the 10 homeshave already been purchased, and Planet Home Living is expectingall of the homes to be presold by spring of 2015. Prices for thehomes begin in the mid $700,000 range, and feature panoramic cityviews and private two-car garages with direct access. Thedevelopment has two floor plans, both with three bedrooms, openliving areas, and an outdoor rooftop patio. The larger floor planalso offers a flex suite on the ground floor that can be used for aguest room or workspace.