-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.
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.
-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.
Please contact us by email or by phone. For orientations and site visits, please contact us.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Decisions proceed unless someone has a reasoned objection.
Organized in circles or domains with distributed authority.
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.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: $1000
Regular fees: $25
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Work Fair Share program to be determined. We are developing a “skills bank,” and are getting the work done in Task Circles.
Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Internet
Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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