Cohousing-L Mailing List: Building with Equal Access & Preparing for electric cars on site

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Feb 15, 2015, at 9:40 AM, Diana Carroll <dianaecarroll [at] gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> Less technically difficult but perhaps more challenging are the social
> ramifications: other than those with carports, our community parking is
> undesignated, and the "best" spots (those closest to the units) are taken
> on a first come first served basis.  (Hotly contested, let me tell you!).
> If we set up charging spots outside of carports, how do we make sure that
> the people with electric cars can access those spots when needed?  Do we
> reserve them just for individuals with electric cars?  Is that fair to
> everyone else, who are now competing for even fewer "good" spots in the
> lot?

This is something developing communities need to think carefully about. AND 
write down your reasoning so new residents will know from the outset the whys 
and what fors. Living in Cohousing has taught me why condos are designed 
identically. It's very hard to apportion unequal facilities fairly - and who 
knows what fairly is. If you put in 20 storage spots for 40 units there will 
eventually be conflict and frustration. 20 bicycle parking spots for over 40 
bicycles.

Having small units and large units promotes diversity. Unequal access to 
storage or parking is more like some units having kitchens and others not.

Design for equal access.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org