Cohousing-L Mailing List: Abide by rules of Community at Large?

[Sally S. Leach (sleach]

I have followed with some interest the discussion on pets and their problems
and have wondered, with some trepidation, how this will affect our group,
Violet Crown, here in Austin.

But, though I realize that this can be one of the most divisive areas of
community, I wonder what is wrong with accepting the rules of the community
at large, rather than trying to legislate each facet of our lives together.

For instance, the community at large (CAL) has not tried to limit the number
of dogs I can keep (one, presently) but says that in my present locale, I
many not go into the kennel business.  Same for guns:  I can keep them in my
home, but I'd better not go around shooting them off in the neighborhood.

The important rules as I see it are those which govern how the special
concerns of CoHousing are addressed:  can one "buy out" of doing chores for
the community?  No, we've said at Violet Crown.