Cohousing-L Mailing List: Zoning laws & regulations

[Fred H Olson (fholson]

J Cooper <purpleturtle108 [at] yahoo.com>
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Greetings.  My name is Joshua.  I am just joining this listserv, so please
forgive if I am addressing an issue that you all have recently discussed. 

I live in Jackson County, Oregon.  There is a group of us who are very
interested in forming a semi-rural co-housing project in the area. 
However, we are frustrated by the tough zoning laws that cover even the
very rural areas of the county.  Specifically, as best I understand, they
preclude more than 5 un-related individuals from living together on a
piece of property, restrict the number of dwellings that may be built on a
piece of property, and deny the construction of any residence that is
built from such alternative materials as cob, strawbale, or dome canvass.

We are hoping to lobby the county government to change these laws and
regulations in order to make rural co-housing projects possible.  Of
course, I can understand the original intention of these policies as
probably to try to curb urban sprawl, over-development, and construction
of ill-built saleable living structures.  However, we feel that the spirit
of co-housing, particularly with an emphasis on stewarding the land and
living eco-consciously/harmoniously ought to bear equal weight, perhaps to
qualify for some kind of exemption.  (am I out to lunch here?) 

Has anyone had any experience with this sort of undertaking?  Do you know
of any resources that we might find helpful, particularly in terms of
proposals for cohousing-friendly zoning laws & regulations?  Perhaps
written examples of the laws in other stat es?  Or even, suggestions on
the process? 

Love and light, ~Joshua



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