Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: New CoHousing in North Carolina-Solt

[Mark Frauenglass (WORKGROUP/MAILDATA/Mark%Acquilano_Leslie_Inc+p]

L. Lyon posted for Solterra/ Carol Eilber

>....Departing
>somewhat from the European model, 34 of the houses will be on individual
>lots.  These, along with 2 triplex units, will be clustered in three
>neighborhoods.  The road will be around the perimeter with every site being

>accessible by car, but the orientation of the houses will be inward to
>village greens with paths leading to the common house across meadows or
>woodlands.

>...construction is expected to start in the early fall with construction of

>homes starting later in the year.

Good luck with this variation.  I hope it works.  The reasons NOT to have
auto access to all units aren't strictly European - American and all
cohousing is enhanced when you have to get out of your car and walk through
the community.   The garage door syndrome etc.

With construction starting soon, I realize you have invested lots of time
and energy already, and are too far down the road to change now.  But take
another look at the Cohousing book or call Katy McCamant about cohousing
that has 'failed'.  Some of these communities had multiple pathways instead
of 1 or 2 main pedestrian streets. individual lots, auto access, and a
common house that is not in direct view of the units.

The rest all sounds lovely, but I think small sites can be a blessing - they
keep us away from the temptation to sprawl out.

Mark of Highline Crossing,
36 units on 3.4 acres and walking 150' from my car,
an 'American' village