Are you working with a local architect?

you have a new project underway. what does that mean? who are you working with? do you have plans drawn up? by an actual architect? how about a geological engineer to advise you on the ground since you're in the wetlands? Any of those people on the payroll?

This sounds like such a fun design challenge! I wish you luck in this endeavor and I hope your chosen architect comes up with some really compelling designs for you to consider.

I have no idea how to help. Wetlands ???? 5 acres and no place to put a proper sized house???? The drawings are not helpful and no real info as to what size of family but the big thing for me is 5 acres and only one place to build a house .You need a really good architect for sure.

Are you building with wood framing? Maybe steel? I'd make that exterior stair one flight without a landing and cantilever the upper landing, so one less column. Is that a carport? Is it really proving protection? Having living space over the outside in a cold climate can be problematic, especially if it's not providing a true purpose. What is the purpose of the first floor area where you enter? I'd get tired of walking across the house (small as it is) to get to the stairs to upper floor.

If you want an unobstructed view, I'd look at changing the column spacing and going with the smallest column I could. The exterior wall is supporting most of the roof load, even in snow country. Look at glass railing system. Why not tie to the columns?

Think of more overhang at exterior, to protect the walls, windows, and you when you're standing at the railing on a drizzly day.

Without knowing the site (topography, vegetation, size, shape, orientation, utilities, soil type, wetlands, views, roads, environment, etc.) it is difficult to advise.

"Without knowing the site (topography, vegetation, size, shape, orientation, utilities, soil type, wetlands, views, roads, environment, etc.) it is difficult to advise."

Mark, I'm assuming by "etc.", you mean their children's shoe sizes, the breed of their dog, and their star signs. You, sir are the reason people are reluctant to consult an architect. Well done!

I am building a similar style house on a steep hillly lot using ICF (Insulated concrete forms) - we kept the staircase on the exterior and are using an elevator in the interior - building a large (16x32 ) exterior deck to expand living space - my footrpint is a bit larger (35 x 65) but not by much

Looks cool, but my question would be your ages and how long you get to enjoy those stairs?

Our first house in my early thirties had a garage under and I had a toddler and baby. I quickly grew to hate having to enter through the garage and carry everyone and everything a full flight of stairs. We started looking for a new house not long after we moved in! Our main criteria for the next house was a main entry and garage on the same level as the ground floor of the house.

Our retirement home is all one level with no steps and one of our dogs is quite old now. I can't imagine having to take the old dog down and up a whole flight of stairs every time they need to go outside.

Another HUGE factor in Hood River is wind -- I believe Hood river is the wind-surfing capital of the world. I assume the OP has factored that into the design but just in case . . .

Seabornman. Who would you prefer to work with, a friend who has known you and your family for years or an equally talented professional with limited interest in more than the stats?

Thanks for the comments. We're empty nesters, in our early 50's, and super active/fit. We aim to live in the house for 25 years.
Mainly looking for layout advice in the primary bedroom. It's weird to me to have to walk tho the closet to get to the bathroom but haven't been able to come up with anything else without opening the bed-side wall.
Also layout in the kitchen and bump out we're thinking that's our dining area.
There's no plans for a detached garage for a couple years so the carport is for coverage, unloading in the rain, and semi-protecting our 1 car.

Buildable site is at the north.

Is Mt Hood directly south of the proposed house?

Find out if the 100 feet setback from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is measured horizontally or along the contour lines?

It might have to be at a slight angle due to the setbacks. The 100' setback is the dotted line which of course we have to build behind hence making it a narrow building site.

Sometimes setbacks are measured horizontally, sometimes setbacks are measured along the surface of a slope. If they are measured along the surface of the slope, you have more space than you think. That is why I asked, "Find out if the 100 feet setback from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is measured horizontally or along the contour lines?"

If Mt Hood is directly south of the proposed house, it would make sense to make the south facade as perpendicular to the line of sight to Mt Hood's summit as possible within all the constraints; it appears there is room for some rotation of the proposed house on the site. That is why I asked, "Is Mt Hood directly south of the proposed house?"

It may be advantageous to locate the living room area front and center without any living space (deck) between it and the view. This will keep posts and railings from distracting from the view. It is nice many times to have the outdoor living space adjacent the indoor living room space, but in this case the deck may be better located off to the side, still maintaining its view of Mt Hood.

If you have not already, visit Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood for some inspiration.

What type of setbacks are the ones dimensioned:

10'-0" ?

20'-0" ?

50'-0" ?

Have you visited this building site during the spring runoff or after a heavy rain? Firsthand checking out the terrain can help avoid later problems.

Front Yard/Road Setback: 50 feet from the centerline of roads or 20 feet from the right-of-way, whichever is greater.

Side Yard Setback: 10 feet
Rear Yard Setback: 20 feet
Stream Setback: 100 feet from the ordinary high-water line for buildings - Tieman Ck boarders the western property line

There appears to be a 50 feet setback shown at the north and east edges of the property. Is there a road at the north and east edges of your property?