Ecovillage in Efland, NC
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Transcript Ecovillage in Efland, NC
Hart’s Mill
an Ecovillage
in Efland, NC
November 2012
The Vision
Eco-Village Definition
"A human-scale, full-featured settlement in which
human activities are harmlessly integrated into
the natural world in a way that is supportive of
healthy human development, with multiple
centers of initiative, and (which) can successfully
be continued into the indefinite future.“
- Robert Gilman
Land Stewardship
The Vision
Pedestrian-oriented site plan
Clustered homes with a shared
common house
Green building
Energy efficiency & renewables
Waste-water recycling and rain water
catchment
Built Environment
The Vision
Agrarian lifestyle with urban proximity
Bulk of community’s food produced,
processed and stored sustainably onsite
Range of housing options and
affordability
Separate finances (not shared income)
Multi-generational
Lifestyle
The Vision
Pilot innovative sustainable living
initiatives
Provide outreach & training programs
for the public
Affiliate with educational institutions
and projects
Explore local currency and barter
systems
Context
The Journey
NOV 2008: Formed Triangle Intentional Community
Meetup group (TICMG)
JAN 2009: spun off group to create an intentional
community in the Triangle area
Met weekly over a period of 2 years to address
both physical & social aspects of the envisioned
community
The Journey
MAY 2010: formed Carolina Common Well, LLC
(CCW) to serve as development agency
Also have the Center for Community Alternatives,
(formerly called EcoAccess) a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization
AUGUST 2010: Alana Ennis approached CCW
with offer to make her inherited 115-acre farm in
Efland available as a site for the community
The Journey
SEPTEMBER 2010: Began actively recruiting new
members incl. tabling at conferences & festivals
APRIL 2012: CCW co-sponsored with the
Fellowship for Intentional Community ‘The Future of
Community - Intentional, Cooperative, Sustainable!’
event in Durham
MAY 2012: Permaculture site survey completed
as basis for site planning
The Journey
JULY 2012: Approached School of Living
regarding joining their community land trust
SEPTEMBER 2012: First meeting with Orange
County Planning Department and first community
workday on land
The Land
Location
The Land
Aerial View
The Land
Landscape
The Land
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Excellent soils for agriculture and septic
Large area of gentle south-facing slopes
Bounded on two sides by perennial streams
Pond (approx. 4 acres)
Ample ground water for well
Zoned R-1
Characteristics
Planning
Sketch Plan
Planning
Conducted permaculture site analysis
Researching planning & zoning regulations;
meeting with Orange County planners
Exploring sustainable site development
materials, techniques and approaches
Developing estimated infrastructure costs
Site Planning
Planning
Seeking optimum model for purchase, ownership
and development that will ensure perpetual
adherence to sustainable principles & affordability
Working with local attorney with expertise in
farmland preservation and conservation easements
Need to ensure that housing discrimination laws
are not violated by membership vetting process
Legal/Financial
Planning
Submit conceptual site plan to County for review
Make revisions and submit final plan for approval
Build basic site infrastructure – roads, utilities
Close on sale or lease of individual building sites
Build common house and area walkways, lighting,
foodscaping, etc.
Site Development Process
Community
Founders envisioned more engagement than
merely sharing a common house and garden
Separate finances and home ownership (equity)
Residents of the community will be vetted
through a staged membership process with
increasing bilateral commitment and responsibility
Membership
Community
Exploratory: getting to know one other & exploring the
alignment of our visions
Associate: participating in our community formation work
with a minimum of commitment
Engaged: certain you want to join our community and feel
ready to fully commit yourself to the work
Full: enjoy all rights, privileges & responsibilities
Membership Levels
Community
Exploratory: open-ended until transitioning to Associate
(self-declaring)
Associate: minimum 3 months until transitioning to
Engaged
Engaged: 6 to 12 months until transitioning to Full
Full: perpetual until exit
Membership Timelines
Visit our website for information on membership:
http://hartsmill.net