We seek to create a cohousing community combining permaculture principles.  But first, an explanation of cohousing.  We lean generously on inspiring leaders in the USA:  Architects Charles Durrett and Katie McCamant, who studied proven principles of cohousing in Denmark, and Ross Chapin, a pioneer of Pocket Neighborhoods, who was also a disciple of architect Christopher Alexander. 

An ideal Cohousing community is first imagined by individuals with shared interests and values who work in a systematic way to brainstorm, discuss, and reach consensus about a community they would love to live in and want to create.  In the Danish model, successful cohousing communities may not exceed 50 adults.  Ross Chapin recommends limiting Pocket neighborhoods to about 25 adults.  In cohousing, the future residents will coalesce on shared values, define its culture, decide on amenities such as a Common House, site layout, style and function of private homes, and then take action to make it happen. The task may involve finding an acceptable site, financing, addressing zoning issues, and conducting feasibility studies about the site and project itself, agreeing on budgets, selecting contractors, and how to organize.

It is estimated that of the 55 different cohousing communities designed by Charles Durrett of The Cohousing Company, the typical time from conception to move-in is 5 to 7 years.  Much of the responsibility of this long stretch of time involves site selection, feasibility, entitlement work, zoning approvals, architectural work, permitting submissions process, plan review, satisfying building inspectors, and securing financing.

In the case of the project being presented by Butler Permaculture Design, much of the items above will not negatively impact or add expensive development time.  The land is owned free of debt, no entitlements are required, there are no building or zoning codes in this county, no permits, no inspectors.  The only requirement is approval of a designed wastewater system.  These realities cut years off the typical process, and reduce expenses.

Participation by future residents is a key criteria that defines true cohousing.  Future residents engage with one another to co-develop, co-design, co-organize and make decisions. 

In cohousing, residents purchase their own plot on the land and a share of the common property and own their own homes.  The community is self-managed and operates based on consultation and consensus.  Every household is on the board.  Members do not share personal income. They have the privilege and responsibility of organizing themselves for any work, or play that is decided upon. 

Some goals of a cohousing community are:

  1. Privacy and a rich community social life are both available
  2. Creating a place with a strong sense of belonging, identity, and accountability, where everyone knows each other’s names, cares about each other, and are prepared to support each other in times of need
  3. It is affordable, sustainable, and helps people “live lightly” on the planet
  4. Gather multi-generational, diverse families and individuals with shared values
  5. Beauty, abundance, safety, rich caring relationships
  6. Create a “high-functioning” community

Cohousing is different from the typical suburban home experience. In the suburban neighborhood, 80% of the time spent outdoors is in the private back yard.  In cohousing, 80% of the time is spent in the front yard where there is access to neighbors.   

Joining Permaculture with Cohousing

Permaculture is a multiple-disciplinary study and practice that works with nature, not against it in stewarding land, water, animals, plants and ourselves in a more natural, sustainable way.  It leaves behind monoculture farming, use of herbicides such as RoundUp, and tilling the soil.  It promotes building nutrient-rich soils, responsible use of water and its management, and allowing nature to give forth its abundance. Permaculture promotes ethical behavior.

There are three ethics of Permaculture:  

  1. Earth Care (rebuild nature’s capital)
  2. People Care (care of self, family, and community)
  3. Fair Share (redistribute surplus & limit consumption)