Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Alternatives for creating inexpensive homes...

[Joani Blank (joani]

I read this listserv very sporadically these days but spent some time 
catching up with the last few weeks of posts and have followed with some 
interest the discussion triggered by the posts of Guy Koehler.  [If the 
questions I'm about to ask have already been answered and I missed reading 
the responses, please just refer me back to previous posts.]

1. How is your 160 acre Ranch currently zoned? How many dwellings are you 
permitted to build on it, and does it have to be subdivided in a particular 
way to build the number of homes you desire to build. Will you have to get 
variances to do what you want to do? Or get the zoning changed altogether.

2. How flexible are the building codes where you are in relation to 
infrastructure requirements, building materials and methods, and all the 
other myriad details that have to be considered in building to meet local 
codes?

3. I'd like to see some projections in real dollars that show that your 
members will be able to build their own dwellings at a cost they can 
afford. Is building green really less expensive than conventional building. 
I understand it often actually costs more. If your plans include a lot of 
sweat equity which I believe they do, how can a low income family that 
needs to hold down one or more full time jobs to support their family, also 
have the "free time" to build their home.  And in order to build up to 
local code, do you not need a lot of (presumably paid) professional 
electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.

4. I think that at one point I read that most people who have expressed 
interest in living in your community up until now are relatively low income 
folks.  Do you imagine that your higher income investor/residents will be 
essentially subsidizing  the lower income residents, not by direct loans or 
grants to them but by carrying the land or infrastructure costs or the 
costs of building the common facilities? Again, some real dollar 
projections would be useful and interesting.

Joani Blank
Swan's Market Cohousing
Oakland, California.

p.s. We're getting close to the last chance you have to make your 2003 tax 
deductible donation to the Cohousing Association of the United States. Head 
on over to http://www.cohousing.org  and find the Donate link under About 
Us on the home page. Your contribution support the development of cohousing 
communities everywhere!


> Liza - I agree with you whole heartedly, and am attempting to create just
> that here at Rivendell in WA State, near the coast. I am attempting
> construction with cob, and Community based on Local Currency.
>
> Guy Koehler
> Rivendell Ranch
> Hoquiam, WA 98550
>
> http://www.geocities.com/rivendell_ranch
>
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Joani Blank
510-834-7399
Cell: 510-387-1315
joani [at] swansway.com
www.joaniblank.com 

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