Woodard Lane Cohousing :: Communities Directory

Formed: 2004 Established: 2010

This page last updated:3/13/2013

Woodard Lane Cohousing

Olympia, Washington,

United States

(on the west side, 1.6 miles from downtown)

We are actively seeking new members. In May 2013 we will celebrate our third year of living together. We have two new members committed for homes in phase two. Our plan is to build another four-plex and a permanent common house with one or two more small units. This will provide a total of 17 or 18 homes. Persons interested in participating in some design aspects of their new homes or to get the sized home they want are encouraged to check us out soon. We also have a couple of homes available for sale (or rent) in this first phase of 11 homes. Check out our web site for additional details: www.woodardlanecoho.org.

We're currently live in three fourplexes whose units range in size from 950 sq ft to 1950 sq ft. One of the units is our temporary common house, and will be available for sale after building phase 2.

Our site is on Olympia's west side,just 1.6 miles from downtown, and 6 blocks from the west side food coop. Part of our land is a green belt provided by a deep ravine sculpted by a year-round stream that enters Puget Sound several blocks away. We currently have a large vegetable garden and play areas for the kids. We're actively landscaping throughout the grounds.

More important than building houses, we have been building community since we started this process in late 2004. Now that we live together we continue to have dinners together (twice a week), sing-alongs, work parties and celebrations.

We are legally a Condominium with a Steering Board made up of one member from each of the working committees (grounds, community life, financial, membership, and maintenance) and two members at large.

We welcome diversity of all kinds. As far as age goes, all generations are represented, from babies less than a year old to retired seniors. In April 2012 our count was 24 adults and 13 children, all under 12.

We use consensus decision making and Nonviolent Communication; value living lightly on the land, building green, and sharing resources. We support each other as unique, evolving, compassionate, spiritual beings.

Website: http://www.woodardlanecoho.org

Contact:

David Lerner
Woodard Lane Cohousing
1620 Woodard Ave NW B-2
Olympia, Washington 98502-4218 United States

Liv Monroe
1620 Woodard Ave NW
Olympia, Washington 98502
Phone: 360-357-4503

Washington United States

Links:

woodardlanecoho.org

View Map of Locations
for this Community

5/11 house concert with Carl Tolsten

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This page last updated:3/13/2013

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Contact Cj Russo at 360-866-4557.

Network Affiliations:

Coho/US

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 37 (24 adults, 13 children) Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes (We will be embarking on phase 2 and need new members for this.)	Government Decision Making: By consensus (We value effective and inclusive decision making. This includes consensus, delegation, Sociocracy, coin flipping, and more as agreed.) Identified Leader: No (Cj, Liv, David and Justin are the Membership Team) Leadership Core Group: Yes (A Steering Committee of 7 members, one from each working committee and two at large)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No Answer (Only if they can afford to buy. Renter members need to be able to pay the rent.) Labor Contribution: Expected (Attend meetings, work on committees, help with meals) Join Fee: Yes ($40/month for Associate Members and $20,000 to become a full member, down payment) Regular Fees: Yes (Their share of the common expenses including all utilities, reserves, insurance and maintenance)
Land and Buildings Urban (surrounded by green belt) Area: 2.9 acres (1.2 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 19 (Phase 1 = 11 units. Phase 2 = 8 more.) Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (have a shared garden) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (2 dinners/week, occasional breakfasts) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (many gluten free folks) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Seldom used (not in common buildings. Outside only in designated areas. No current member smokes)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (All Members are on their own spiritual paths) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Other (All and none) Educational Style(s): Public schooled (Home schooling also)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Completed

(Ready to build 6 more homes after they are purchased)

Year Completed:

2010

(Phase I completed 2010, Phase II in a few years)

Number of Units:

11 built, more to be built in 2013 hopefully for a total of 18.

Architect:

Tom Sanford of MSGS for the Site and Common House Bergford and Associates designed the homes with us

Developer:

Member designed and developed with consultation from Scott Homes who did the building

Commercial Lender:

Olympia Federal Savings and Loan

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): woodardlanecoho, LivMonroe, woodardlanecohousing

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