The Sacramento NewsReview reports that Sycamore Village Cohousing is facing some resistance from neighbors as it tries to get its plan approved by the local authorities.
Despite its impeccable transit-oriented, environmentally friendly green design, plans for Sycamore Village were rejected in January 2007 by the Orangevale Community Planning Advisory Committee following complaints from area residents.
When it comes down to it, the real problem may be an entrenched Not In My Back Yard philosophy that has little to do with rational argument. Rick Mockler, of Cohousing Partners, likens the NIMBY attitude of cohousing detractors to the way many people feel about mass transit—they support the idea of public transportation, so long as they can continue driving their cars.
Sacramento already has one completed cohousing community with others in nearby Davis. Sycamore villages plan have a lot going for them:
Cohousing is usually situated within walking distance to schools and centers of commerce, and sustainability is at the center of its design. Within a quarter mile of Sycamore Village are a school, grocery store, fire station, fitness center, medical facility, dentist, restaurant, gas station and bus stop. The houses will be built with bamboo flooring, cellulose insulation and recycled decking; the grounds will include organic garden patches, permaculture landscaping and compost heaps. In other words, this project is the very definition of smart growth with a limited carbon footprint.
It sounds like they are working closely with neighbors to resolve concerns and we are hopeful they can work it all out to everyone’s benefit.
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