Conceptual Architecture and Use Feasibility Review for Donated Nonprofit Parcel

COCAS needs one skilled volunteer with architecture, conceptual site planning, nonprofit facility planning, housing design, or community-use design experience to create a conceptual use and design feasibility memo for a donated vacant parcel in the Crestline / Lake Gregory area of San Bernardino County, California.

The property is identified as APN 0339-193-29-0000, Tract 2744, Lot 71, located off Chillon Drive.

The volunteer will help COCAS think through possible nonprofit uses for the land at a very early concept level. This may include whether the parcel appears more appropriate for future housing, small community-support space, land banking, resale, conservation/open space, or another charitable use, depending on parcel constraints.

Requested deliverables include:
Conceptual use feasibility memo
High-level site planning considerations based on parcel size, terrain, road access, slope, fire zone concerns, and likely development limits
Possible nonprofit-use options, such as housing, support services, small retreat/community space, resale, land banking, or conservation/open space
Early design considerations for a mountain/hillside parcel
List of information needed before any real design work, such as survey, zoning confirmation, soils/geotechnical review, utility confirmation, fire access review, and civil engineering input
Red-flag list identifying design issues that could make the parcel difficult or expensive to develop
Recommended next steps for COCAS before hiring an architect or preparing formal plans

This project is limited to conceptual architecture and use feasibility only. COCAS is not requesting stamped architectural plans, construction drawings, permit drawings, engineering plans, legal advice, or official county approvals through this Taproot project.

Expected timeline: 3–6 weeks, with approximately 2–5 volunteer hours per week.

This project will help COCAS make a responsible early decision about whether donated land can support future nonprofit uses. An architect’s conceptual review will help the board understand what may be possible before the organization spends funds on formal design, engineering, permitting, or construction.

The volunteer’s work will support COCAS’s mission by helping evaluate land that could one day support housing, community services, cultural programming, recovery support, or other services for underserved community members.

COCAS is ready to begin now. We have the signed real property donation agreement, parcel identifier APN 0339-193-29-0000, and legal description Tract 2744, Lot 71.

COCAS will provide the volunteer with the donation agreement, APN details, available maps, GIS information, photos if available, planning notes, and the organization’s possible nonprofit goals for the land. Staff will respond promptly, review draft concepts, and keep the scope focused on early feasibility and concept planning only.

The final memo will help COCAS leadership and board members decide whether the parcel is worth pursuing for future design, development, sale, land banking, or other charitable use.