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Forming
Formed:
2006
Established:
2012
Clearwater Commons
Bothell/Mill Creek
,
Washington
,
United States
Website:
www.clearwatercommons.com
Contact:
Tom Campbell
1415 196th St SE
Bothell, Washington 98012 United States
Address Status:
Good as of 7/5/2011
Phone:
206-919-7449
commons [at] clearwatercommons [dot] com
North Creek & barn

Clearwater Commons is an intergenerational residential community, with participants ranging from small children to elders. Members share an intention of living a lifestyle that sustains a balance between individual and community needs and the natural ecosystem.

Clearwater Commons began forming in June 2006 when a group of families purchased a 7.4-acre site on North Creek, 11 miles north of the Seattle, Washington, city limits. The site includes wetlands, wooded spaces, and a salmon stream. We finished site development during Summer 2010, built a common shop in the winter and spring of 2011, and begin construction of the first four homes in August 2011. The total development is for 16 residences plus a common house. We have a mix of two and three-bedroom townhomes and single family homes. We have seven families who are members, and nine home sites to sell.

The physical design of the community represents our underlying values of community and low-impact development. Pedestrian walkways, community gardens, benches, shared shop, tool shed, and play spaces reflect our desire to interact with neighbors through the natural course of our days. Our shared common house allows individual dwellings to occupy a smaller footprint and minimize our impact on the earth.

The inspiration for this community grew from founding members’ involvement in The Clearwater School, located across the street. Our shared experience with the school encourages us to allow the structures for community meetings, gatherings, and events to evolve through our daily interactions, rather than follow a preset or mandated framework.

We take on a responsibility to act as stewards of our land—restoring and enhancing the natural environment, including the stream, wetlands, habitat, and wildlife. We value relationships between individuals, families, and our environment, and promote a lifestyle that will promote and sustain these relationships. We trust each family to make decisions that are aligned with our intent of sustainability and that balance individual autonomy and community needs. We expect that the specific commitments of our community will change over time, and we wish to avoid hard and fast rules. We value communication and discussion and take the time needed to voice, discuss, and understand diverse perspectives in order to reach informed and conscious decisions.

Status: Site permit granted; Construction of first four homes begins August 1, 2011. Nine home lots available for sale.

Community Affiliations:
Network Affiliations:
Last Updated:
7/5/2011
Visitors Accepted
(By appointment)
Visitor Process:
Email or phone and request a visit to see our property and/or attend community meetings. Check our website for open houses.
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Building
(Site development completed, first-phase house construction begins August 2011.)
Year Completed:
2012
(First phase of five homes. Eleven homes lots remaining to sell and build.)
Area:
7.4 acres (3.0 hectares)
(Over 4 acres is protected wetland/wildlife habitat.)
Number of Units:
16
Architect:
Banyon Tree Design, Seattle WA
Developer:
Cascade Built, Seattle WA
Commercial Lender:
Cobalt Mortgage
Population
Members:
15
Non-Member Residents:
4
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus (We strive for consensus, allowing time to understand all points of view. Use majority rule rarely if complete agreement is not possible.)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
No (Individuals or committees take on specific tasks as needed.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Labor Contribution:
Expected (Expect members to contribute to our community depending on their interests, skills and time. We expect specific commitments to change over time and do not prescribe specific time commitments by members.)
Join Fee:
Yes (Must pay for an LLC share or purchase home unit when available.)
Regular Fees:
Yes (Regular condominium dues and expenses, i.e. utilities, maintenance, etc.)
Land and Buildings
Community:
Suburban
Land Owners:
Other (Units and building lots owned by individuals. Majority of land and common house owned by community.)
No. of Residences:
16
Food, Etc.
% Food Grown:
1-5% (Unknown. Will have large common garden space.)
Shared Meals:
Rarely (We do not prescribe a set number of community meals, but welcome spontaneous and planned gatherings that members initiate.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous (Many members place high value on organic, local food.)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used (Our tobacco policy is not yet defined.)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
Which Spiritual Traditions:
Educational Style(s):
Other (Each family makes their own educational choices. Many of us are associated with The Clearwater School across the road, but there is no expectation of future residents to enroll their children in that school.)
North Creek & barn
Pasture
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