Aging in Community Meeting in Asheville October 1, 2006
North Asheville Library 4-6PM
33 people attending
Welcome and sign in- Review agenda
Facilitated by Marianne Kilkenny and Alex Mawhinney
Notes by Bobbie Kelsten
Brief overview of the "Flow to Community chart" – with new additions
Brief definition of co-housing read by Alex and handed out to all
DVD on Cohousing-
As most of the DVD is nearly 10 years old, Marianne offered some updated information about the number of co-housing communities in existence or under construction, and of the growing interest of Elder co-housing in particular. Good basics on Cohousing
“Getting Started” – Boulder Sept 17-19
Marianne gave us information about the 5 day workshop, sponsored by the Abraham Paiss and Associates who manage the Elder Cohousing Network . The workshop is specifically for groups like ours looking to form a community. Brief overview:
The "5 wishes concept" was explored : 3 co-housing communities were visited; different models of co-housing were modeled and studied, I.e.. resident led, developer led and a combination of resident, developer led; the participants were given an understanding of how training can help a group make informed decision regarding site development and help in group dynamics for forming community upon move in.
We had a short discussion of the function of the Sunday meetings as an "umbrella" organization that would give some cohesion and social context as cores for specific and different sites may begin to form core groups and possibly meet separately in the future. Proposed, based on learning from other groups and common sense, the importance of social interaction as opposed to strictly business meetings and how to begin knowing one another in a less formal way.
Marianne described Study Group 1 and how it can be important for each individual as well as for groups in the process of formation in understanding their priorities and in gaining new tools for addressing problems and coming up with creative solutions at every level of aging in community. Study Group 1 comes from the model that has been done in Senior Cohousing in Denmark for over 20 years. The group purpose is to meet together and learn about Aging in Community and discuss and confront issues. Sign ups were taken for 8 week session/2 hrs each for $100 per person to cover expenses and Senior Cohousing book. Time and date TBD.
A question about "Greenhouses" was raised and Alex briefly answered it, promising a more in depth look at the place of Greenhouses in communities at a later meeting. He is attending a seminar on that topic this month.
Exercise – individual and group- Regarding affordability
Questions
1. Individually explore: "What does affordability mean to you? write Definition
2. What can I afford? – this was not discussed but turned in just for information
FYI- from information turned in the amount that those in the group at this meeting vary from $400/month to house purchase of about $400,000 with many in between.
We then broke into groups of 4-5 and discussed affordability.
After the groups we came back together and reported to the general group
From that discussion came the following information
Affordability is or includes:
Must include a range of housing options to accommodate various income levels. Quality construction
Energy efficiency
A percentage of income or assets from 30
Affordability in our discussion is not to be confused with the government's definition of affordable housing
Rentals as part of the community to accomplish affordability
Remember to include taxes and fees in the estimate
Whatever one is now paying is clearly affordable
Living within one's means AND value system may give a broader and more meaningful definition
Remember that common facilities add to the original cost but may save expenses later in terms of shared meals and entertainment/social events.
Discussion about ideas about how smaller clustered homes (trailers, Katrina cottages etc) on small parcels might also help keep costs limited while providing community to people of limited means. Shared housing models and grants and subsidies (like those found by the ElderSpirit communities were mentioned).
Site Reports: Artisan Park and Altura
Kate and Michael Beverage made a presentation for Artisan Park: Located in West Asheville, 42 + 5 acres mostly in the county but on the city line; 5 existing structures; their vision is a community that inspires people to discover their creativity and encourage that in one another; Affordability through diversity; Live/work spaces; clustered housing and mixed use; Intergenerational; Co-housing (Elder co-housing) component; Built to fit the landscape; Infrastructure is already partially in place and PUD obtained; Utilities will be underground.
Jan Moran and Paul Rollins presented for Altura.
220 acres in Woodfin area, near new art college;Spectacular mountains views; Easy access to downtown; Development already underway; New Urbanist village with a co-housing (Elder co-housing ) component; possible occupancy in next 2 years; A resort community to include a nature preserve, spa and some very high end housing; Elder housing would be near the town center and be composed of 2 different units, townhouse like units and a 3 story condo building totaling about 47 units: Cost beginning in low $200,000's. Website; alexanderregan.com , click on Altura This is not being publicized yet. Sign ups were taken for a tour of both sites is being arranged by Kate and Paul.
Other Sites in Asheville: as discussion
- Alex briefly talked about Don Tucker's interest in developing the S&W building in downtown for the "Urban dwellers".
- Other potential sites have been identified and we invite others in the group to scout and report back to the general group.
Other things happening in Asheville:
ElderSpirit forming community; Monday evenings at Servanthood House, 156 East Chestnut St. 4:30-6:30. Topics: Elder Spiritually
Contact Jean Marie at jeanmarieluce(at)hotmail.com
SIG- Creating Community in the 2nd Half of Life- at NCCCR on
Wednesday, October 25 at 6PM Room 205
Thursday, November 16, 6 pm same room
Marianne expressed a need for HELP. People are asked to donate a few dollars for costs and to think of how their skills could help advance our interests (social, technical, making calls, scheduling meetings, etc)
Social meetings such as potlucks, hikes. get togethers, would really help. Have a clubhouse, meeting area, house you want to volunteer? Let’s get this going this month?
Next meeting: new location-
Sunday, October 22nd. 4-6pm
Greenlife Community Center
90 Merrimon Ave
adjacent to Greenlife- share parking lot
Plan on dinner at Greenlife after !!!!!
Agenda: your vision and ideas to share