Altair EcoVillage

Kimberton, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Updated on: Nov 3, 2023 (about 1 year ago)
  • Created on: Dec 31, 1999 (about 25 years ago)
Altair EcoVillage

Mission Statement

We at Altair are forming a cohousing community built around the following objectives: -opportunity for diverse backgrounds to live together in supportive relationships -the architectural design promotes a comfortable balance between community interaction and privacy -attractive homes and common facilities designed on a model that is ecologically sound, emphasizing moderate consumption, resource sustainability, and horticulture.

Community Description

-Altair currently consists of seven families who have invested in the project, five other member families. (up to House #10 committed on paper). We follow the traditional Cohousing model, but are more of an EcoVillage. We are looking to build 29 town houses and duplexes, two- and three-bedroom units. We have purchased an 8 acre site in Kimberton village and have purchased homes adjacent to the open land to ensure we have access. The Township wrote an Overlay Ordinance that will allow us to build a sustainable ecovillage - cluster homes, Common House, pedestrian walkways, remote parking, and reduced parking. We are looking to submit our site plan for approval early in 2024, and hope to break ground Winter of 2024. -We generally hold two meetings a month - a Social and a Members business meeting (usually third Sunday). We are soliciting new members and friends to help with the pre-approval costs. Members intending to live in the EcoVillage can invest as a Managing Member, their funds capitalized and earning a modest ROI, applied toward the cost of their home. -Our goal is to build certified Passive Houses with close to net-zero energy heating and cooling. We will also use the Green Building Council's SITES v2 Guidelines for ecological low-impact development. -We anticipate having another Getting-it-Built workshop in the Spring of 2024. We have had design retreats for the site, Common House, and housing designs, and will have another design workshop to finalize the landscaping of the site in Jan or Feb 2024. We have contacted banks and foundations to help with the funding. -We will be an age-restricted community, with 20% of the homes' head of household under 55. We have an experienced developer, architect, Passive House consultant, mechanical/electrical engineer, and an energy consultant for the EV's and solar energy work. We are finalizing a land planner. Our Construction Manager will build the project. We have a PA registered non-profit to create a funding stream to support various initiatives (ecology, electric cars, etc.)
-At the moment, we are taking reservations. You can visit our website or contact us by email or phone.

About

  • Type(s):
    • Ecovillage (organized around ecology and sustainability)
    • Cohousing (individual homes within group property)
  • Programs & Activities:
    • School, Educational Institute or Experience
    • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
  • Location: Small Town or Village

Housing

  • Status: We have land in the permitting or zoning stage
  • Area: 9.5 acres
  • Current Number of Residences: 0
  • Planned Number of Residences: 29
  • Planned Residence Types:
    • Single-family homes
    • Multi-family homes
  • Housing Provided:
    • Purchase
    • Rental
  • Land Owned By: A subgroup of community members
  • Additional Comments: For the future!

Membership

  • Adult Members: 15
  • Child Members: 2
  • Percent Women: 51-60%
  • Percent Men: 41-49%
  • Percent Transgender: 0%
  • Percent Non-Binary: 0%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process: Please contact us by email or by phone. For orientations and site visits, please contact us.
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Membership Process: -A Full Member (or family) puts in $1000 non-refundable initially and $25/month for dues. Trailblazers contribute $250 toward their $1000 membership and can explore our project for 4 months. The Members have a say in how that money is spent and are party to major decisions. We are now taking refundable deposits on homes in $1000/$2000 increments. -We also have Member Investors whose monies go toward the cost of their home but also gives them a return on the investment. -All members join one of our Task Circles to contribute with the work that needs doing - land, legal-financial, membership, healthy green living, pr-outreach, hospitality, ev-energy, and care & counsel, and development.
  • Additional Comments: We plan to have most of the site open to the community at large, including active play areas, a trail, the Common House, and a community garden.

Government

  • Decision Making: Sociocracy
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: Yes
  • Additional Comments: The Coordinating Circle consists of a member from each of the three "Core Circles" - Community Life, Buildings/Grounds, and Governance - the President, and the Project Manager. The Project Manager represents the residents and interfaces with the professional team.

Economics

  • Join Fee($): 1000
  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
  • Monthly Fees($): 25
  • Shared Income: None
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes (some debt)
  • Additional Comments: Work Fair Share program to be determined. We are developing a "skills bank," and are getting the work done in Task Circles.

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: Almost All, around 90%
  • Energy Sources:
    • Solar
    • Clean Energy from the Grid
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: Almost All, aroud 90%
  • Current Food Produced: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Planned Food Produced: 0%, or close to 0%
  • Food Produced Locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Common House
    • Garden(s)
    • Greenhouse(s)
    • Vehicle Share
    • Library
    • Workshop
    • Outbuilding(s)
    • Large Scale Kitchen
    • Internet
  • Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it's fine.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for most people.
  • Shared Meals: 1-3 times per month
  • Dietary Practices:
    • Omnivorous (plants and animals)
    • Local
    • Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers)
    • Mostly Vegan
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Somewhat - there are some dietary restrictions or customs.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Additional Diet Comments: -We are open to determining how are common meals are made and what they consist of. -We want plenty of garden space available.
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s):
    • Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
    • Anthroposophical community in the neighborhood
  • Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
  • Education Style(s):
    • Home Schooling
    • Private School off the property
    • Public Schooling
    • Up to each family or individual
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual
  • Additional Comments: As the Contributing Membership grows, we expect to discuss and agree on how we want to live together.

Cohousing

  • Building Site Status: Own Site
  • Year Construction Completed: 2025
  • Number of Housing Units: 29
  • Has a Shared Common Building: Yes
  • Architect: Canevale-Eustis
  • Developer: J F Gayl, Inc

Additional Comments

We have a new "Trailblazer" program, allowing prospective members to attend our online meetings for a short period to see if they are a fit. Looking for members to make a down payment on their home, escrowed until mortgage time, and/or to invest in an undividable interest in our land and help pay professionals. See our website for details.

Photo Gallery

Community Network or Organization Affiliations

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC), Coho/US, Phoenixville Area Transition, Phoenixville Area Time Bank

Community Affiliations

Kimberton Village Business Association, Kimberton Arts Alliance

Fair Housing Laws

This community acknowledges that their listing does not include any potential violations of the Fair Housing Law, or that they do not provide housing. For any questions about this topic please see our Content Policies and contact FIC with any questions or concerns: directory@ic.org.

Keywords

sustainable, EcoVillage, Cohousing