Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: LLC vs co-op (i.e., "ownership structures")

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On May 11, 2006, at 4:10 AM, gary [at] thewoodlandcommunity.com wrote:

> I am also interested in exploring whether there may be a market for a
> cohousing community targeting individuals or families interested in
> building second homes (i.e., vacation and/or retirement homes) located
> within weekend communing distance of where they live.

I think this is an interesting concept and have been thinking of 
something similar -- not vacation homes but a rental component attached 
to a cohousing community.

In urban areas like Washington DC and Manhattan, you have a large 
number of people who need a pied a terre in the city while their main 
residence is elsewhere. At the same time, the high land values require 
high density developments larger than the sweet spot of 25-30 
households. What if a cohousing community of 25-30 households were 
combined with a number of small rental units appropriate for commuters 
who spent 3-4 nights a week there, or came in for the weekends. In DC 
there are large numbers of young people who come into town for 
internships that may last 6 months to 2 years, and political workers 
who come in for a few years, perhaps for only part of the year.

Mixing these two kinds of units would enable the cohousing community to 
maintain intimacy while providing a more home-like atmosphere for the 
changing landscape of renters. Many of the renters would not 
participate in meals, etc. but some would. Most would just benefit from 
the look and feel of a less commercial building.

Sharon
---
Sharon Villines
Building Community: A Guide to Creating New Neighborhoods
http://www.buildingcommunity.info