Cohousing-L Mailing List: Convincing Neighbors [ was Eugene Cohousing

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Aug 1, 2018, at 12:52 PM, Kathryn McCamant <kmccamant [at] 
> cohousing-solutions.com> wrote:
> 
> This type of useless neighborhood opposition, and the American resistance to 
> any reasonable density (afterall, we are just talking 2-story townhomes with 
> plenty of room for gardens) within established cities is only adds to keeping 
> housing prices high and cities car dependent.
> 
> I hope the larger cohousing community will support those communities that run 
> into unreasonable neighbors..... unfortunately, this kind of unreasonable 
> fear has killed or lessened many a good project. 

Perhaps other communities who faced these problems can share their stories so 
potential communities can understand that (1) it is isn’t personal, and (2) how 
to change it or just live through it.

Addressing issues with data — doesn’t work with those who don’t accept data 
over their own fears but you can’t assume everyone in the neighborhood is of 
the same persuasion as the loudest. Pictures of other communities might help — 
small communities, not crowded social events and parking lots to the side which 
amplifies the number of cars. Do a study of your own car use. I think people 
have the idea that people who live in “apartments” are driving in and out all 
the time.

Fewer cars in cohousing — I’m sure there are figures on this somewhere but cars 
have greatly reduced numbers in our community. When we moved in, I think only 
one unit of 43 had no car and several had 2 cars with one parked on the street 
because we provided only 1 per unit. Within a year people were allowing their 
first and second cars to die and not replacing them. 18 years later there are 
5-6 spaces available for rent or guests and no second cars that I know of. 
People share regularly. We also are 2 blocks from the Metro and bus lines but I 
suspect cars are used much less in other communities too.

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