Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: WANT MORE POSITIVE MUNICIPAL REFERENCES AS TO BENEFITS OF COHOUSING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COPIES OF ACTUAL ZONING ORDINANCES THAT ALLOWED COHOUSING/ECOVILLAGES TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITHIN A TOWNSHIP!

[Michael Barrett (mbarrett]

Sally,

Frederick County, Maryland (not all that far from SE PA) has an enacted 
cohousing ordinance, created specifically for Liberty Village Cohousing. 
Ultimately it was not used as the community was constructed under a PUD 
zoning.
I don't know if you could find a Frederick County commissioner today who 
would go out of his/her way to actively support cohousing (i.e. like writing 
a letter to PA) as the relationship has not been a lovefest.  But the zoning 
ordinance exists and is copied below from the link provided by the Count 
website.

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Maryland/frederickco_md/frederickcountymarylandcodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:frederickco_md
Search on "cohousing"

Good luck,

Michael Barrett
Shadowlake Village
Blacksburg, VA

When I try to send this my emailer tells me some of the pictures may not be 
included.  So if there is nothing between here and the start of Sally's 
message, go to the link above
DIVISION 2.  COHOUSING DEVELOPMENT
§ 1-19-10.200.  PURPOSE.
     The purpose of cohousing development is to provide a method of 
development that promotes social interaction, permits a quality living 
environment, safeguards children, conserves the natural environment, and 
conserves energy. The intent is to encourage resident participation in 
design, and planning, as well as self-management and community, in a compact 
and orderly development.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 08-26-502, 10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.1.  SCOPE.
     The provisions of this division shall apply only to cohousing 
developments. Such developments shall consist of no more than 35 units, not 
including common facilities. An incorporated development organization 
consisting of a majority of the intended number of residents of the 
development shall be required for application under these provisions. All 
cohousing developments are subject to the requirements of § 1-19-8.620 
through  § 1-19-8.620.6.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 02-26-322, 11-21-2002;  Ord. 08-26-502, 
10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.2.  DISTRICTS WHERE PERMITTED.
     Cohousing developments are permitted in all R Districts. The Planning 
Commission in approving subdivision plats may permit modifications in lot 
areas, lot width, yards (building restriction areas), including zero lot 
lines, or other requirements consistent with meeting the purposes of this 
division. Cohousing development is not permitted unless community water and 
sewer are provided, or such other available ecologically sound methods of 
water distribution and sewage disposal as may be approved by the county and 
state authorities. Individual wells and septic systems are not allowed.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 08-26-502, 10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.3.  DENSITY DETERMINATION AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.
     (A)     The average dwelling unit density will be no greater than the 
permitted density for the districts in which the units are located.
     (B)     For the purpose of this division, DENSITY means the maximum 
number of dwelling units which could be built on net developable land area 
in the zoning district. Net developable land is that land remaining after 
flooding soils areas and rights-of-way for principal highways have been 
deducted from the gross site area.
     (C)     Attached housing is permitted in approved co-housing 
development projects in all R Districts under this division, provided any 
attached units comprise blocks of no more than 6 units each.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991; Ord. 07-29-469, 9-4-2007;  Ord. 08-26-502, 
10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.4.  GREEN AREA SPACE REQUIREMENT.
     Reduction of individual lot areas will be reserved as green area, which 
shall be conveyed to a nonprofit home association comprised of the 
homeowners of the development. The amount of green space shall be a minimum 
of 60% of the total land area of the development. Such green area shall not 
be impervious or include any parking areas, vehicular access or circulation 
driveways and shall otherwise meet the definition of green area in this 
case.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 08-26-502, 10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.5.  PROCEDURE.
     The procedure to obtain approval of a cohousing development is as 
follows.
     (A)     A Concept Plan is submitted to the Planning Commission at least 
45 days in advance of the meeting at which is proposed to be considered 
which shows:
          (1)     The type of dwelling units, the common facilities, and 
building restriction lines;
          (2)     Vehicular and pedestrian street layout;
          (3)     Green area system;
          (4)     Vicinity map (scale no smaller than 1 inch equals 2,000 
feet);
          (5)     Number of acres in the entire tract;
          (6)     Overall dwelling unit density; and
          (7)     The name of the incorporated resident development 
organization.
     (B)     The property in question shall be posted for a minimum of 30 
days prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
     (C)     If the Concept Plan is approved by the Commission, the 
developer will then proceed in accordance with the regulations. Final plats 
on cohousing development shall bear a statement that the land lies within an 
approved cohousing development.
     (D)     In addition, the development is subject to the following 
conditions.
          (1)     The development of land within the cohousing development 
is permitted only in accordance with the approved final plat.
          (2)     The agreements concerning the ownership and maintenance of 
open (green) space land will be recorded simultaneously with the final flat.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 00-21-263, § 1, 7-18-2000;  Ord. 
08-26-502, 10-14-2008)
§ 1-19-10.200.6.  ACCESS DRIVES AND OFF- STREET PARKING.
     The intent of this division is to encourage the removal of cars and 
roads to the periphery of the development. Therefore all parking shall be 
off-street parking and must be within the boundaries of the cohousing 
property. There shall be no minimum distance from a parking area to the home 
which it serves. Suitable emergency access lanes shall be provided to permit 
entry of fire and rescue vehicles to the immediate vicinity of each unit. 
All access points to state and county roads must comply with the requisite 
access permit requirements.
(Ord. 91-31-031, 11-19-1991;  Ord. 08-26-502, 10-14-2008)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sally Thompson" <cohousinggroups [at] verizon.net>
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 2:45 PM
Subject: [C-L]_ WANT MORE POSITIVE MUNICIPAL REFERENCES AS TO BENEFITS OF 
COHOUSING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COPIES OF ACTUAL ZONING ORDINANCES THAT 
ALLOWED COHOUSING/ECOVILLAGES TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITHIN A TOWNSHIP!


>
> Thanks to two kind members of the List-Serve, I did receive one draft of 
> proposed zoning ordinance wording that would allow cohousing/ecovillages 
> to be built in a Township having no appropriate zoning wording otherwise 
> AND just what I asked for, copies of letters in support of having a 
> Cohousing Community come to a Township very unfamiliar with the concept. 
> COULD I PLEASE HAVE MORE???!!!   I think they will be invaluable in our 
> efforts to get local approval, and we would be SO grateful!

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