Hart’s Mill an Ecovillage in Efland, NC November 2012

The Vision Land Stewardship "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 Eco-Village Definition

The Vision Built Environment  Pedestrian-oriented site plan  Clustered homes with a shared common house  Green building  Energy efficiency & renewables  Waste-water recycling and rain water catchment

The Vision Lifestyle  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

The Vision Context  Pilot innovative sustainable living initiatives  Provide outreach & training programs for the public  Affiliate with educational institutions and projects  Explore local currency and barter systems

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

 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 Journey

The Land Location

The Land Aerial View

The Land Landscape

The Land Characteristics 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

Planning Sketch Plan

Planning Site 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

Planning Legal/Financial  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

Planning Site Development Process  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.

Community Membership  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

Community Membership Levels  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

Community Membership Timelines  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

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