Cohousing-L Mailing List: Private? Public? or something in between?

[Cohouser1 (Cohouser1]

Hi everyone:
Solterra is a community of 40 lots on 20 acres.  About 1/2 of the lots are 
now occupied and we are going to complete our common house around the end of 
the year.  We completed our system of paths a few months ago providing access 
to our common lands, our common house and all our houses without going on our 
roads.  Many of our houses are located within several feet of a path.

Our paths have proven attractive to our surrounding neighborhood, and kids on 
bikes, people walking dogs, and strollers are a common sight.  Not hordes of 
people, but enough to cause serious concern on the part of some of our 
members when bikes are driven too fast, etc.

This has revealed a fundamental difference or opinion in our community.  Many 
feel we should welcome "the neighborhood" to use our paths and get to know 
us, and we them.  Many feel that we accepted smaller lots because we own a 
share of our common land, and the paths should be ours to use, not the 
general public.  Others would like to wait and see if it becomes a serious 
problem before taking action, such as putting up "private" signs.

This issue must have been addressed by several other communities, and we 
would like to hear from you.

- What do you do about access by neighbors?
- Has it been beneficial?
- Do you encourage or discourage it?
- Have you had any problems?
- Have you put up signs?
- How were they worded?
- What has worked for you?

Your comments would be very much appreciated.

Gordon Lambert
Solterra Cohousing, Durham, NC