Altair EcoVillage

Description:

The LLC worked with the Township to develop a Low-Impact Overlay Ordinance for the rural center known as Kimberton Village. This will allow us to build an energy-efficient Cohousing model for 29 town houses and duplexes with a 55+ age restriction subject to Fair Housing Act (20% below 55). We are seeking a Silver Rating for the US Green Building Council’s SITES Sustainable Initiative and also Passive House certification. We plan to develop a microgrid and have a robust ride-sharing program.
Our professionals this year proceeded with community workshops to work on the site design, Common House design, and Home Designs with future residents. Our next step is to do Passive House Modeling and cost our what our Members have indicated they want. We hope in 2023 to apply for the Subdivision and Land Development approval and building permits. We have a Contract Developer (who intends to live in the community) and a Construction Manager, along with our Project Manager for the Members.
We currently have fifteen member families, half of whom have invested over $650K, the other half with escrow accounts. The housing market is unpredictable, but we are hoping for prices in the $400’s for 2 and 3-BR townhouses, and duplexes and end units in the $500’s. Single floors of the duplexes are available, probably in the low $300’s. We’ll see! You are welcome to contact us for more details.

In the meantime, our non-profit entity, Kimberton EcoVillage, INC has the following:
Mission: “To promote and develop the Kimberton EcoVillage and other ecovillages, and to educate members and the public in sustainable methods and practices of developing and governing ecovillages.”

Tasks:
Member marketing
Member governance through Task Circles (Land & Buildings, Governance, Community Life)
Organize and hold educational workshops for the Members and the public
Focus on sustainability as it applies to a model community and SITES
Train in group process – sociocracy, facilitation, non-violent communication
Pursue grants for the microgrid, sustainable landscaping, and other programs
Act as stewards of the Kimberton site and use best permaculture practices
Broaden the mission through attending conferences and connecting with other ecovillages
Model a work fair-share program
Develop a 10-year maintenance program
Sponsor an intern program for students to explore and research aspects of ecovillages
To this end, this year we have reviewed and adopted revised bylaws, elected Officers, designated Charters for Task Circles and assigned Chairs of those Circles, formed a Development Circle as a liaison between the professionals and the members, adopted a Budget, established an Annual Members Meeting, and acquired a Corporate Seal.