ecoliving4theeastend

Responsible stewardship of ourselves, each other, our land, our Town, and, by example, our region.

http://www.chaleffandrogers.com/templates/slideshow-residential2.html

A couple weeks back I enjoyed a visit with Bill at his home in East Hampton. He filled me in on his efforts to start a cohousing community back in 2007. After our chat I was given a tour of his wonderful home, with an explanation of the structural elements and systems which make his house a shining example of green building technology. He also owns a catboat which makes him especially cool in my book!

I stopped in Canio’s Bookstore and chatted with owner Kathryn Szoka.  Already aware of the cohousing concept, she referred me to Bill Chaleff of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.  Not wanting to be sidetracked by other issues,  I was a little concerned by the coalition newsletter which listed social and racial justice as part of their focus.  I called him nonetheless to set up an informational interview to see what he and the coalition have done to advocate for cohousing development.

Anyone interested in getting together to talk more about cohousing can call me or sign into this blog and stay tuned for updates.

Virginia Gerardi  516 729-1462

I had the opportunity to give my cohousing “elevator speech” to a friend this morning.  All it takes is on friend sharing with another to start a movement.  Pass it on!

Another friend referred me to a group of clustered houses that were built in East Hampton a few years back.  They are off Spring Close Highway next to the farm stand on Covey Court. I was told the road in is public so I had a look. It seemed to me that creating a village where people live lightly on the land was  not the intention.  Still, it gives me hope because the town approved of the clustering.  Nine traditional looking houses are constructed around a tiny cul-de-sac;  too few units to have a viable village community but there are ways the site could have been planned to be more earth friendly and community oriented.  Major open space was consumed by paving driveways to each home.  Five 2-unit duplex houses could have taken up less space and added on more family.  Moving the access road and the parking to the periphery could have facilitated and pedestrian friendly village green. The manicured landscaping also uses up water resources and costs more to maintain.

Anyone interested in visiting cohousing developments in neighboring states call me. I want to keep the vision alive.
VMG