| The Highlands of St Croix Valley Eco-Village is envisioned as an intentional cohousing community of about 100 households on 254 acres. The community is also working to preserve and additional 275 acres of adjoining property with over 2000 feet of frontage on the St Croix River for the creation of an organic farm, CSA program and community recreation area. .
The community will be developed according to the following guiding principles:
*Consensus decision-making in design and operation
*Intergenerational, mixed income and ethnically diverse community structure
*Mixed use: residential, food production, and possible commercial space
*Minimum environmental impact
*Maximum protection of natural and agricultural land
The following sustainable design elements are envisioned:
*Completely “Off Grid,” with community solar, wind, and geo-thermal energy systems, with excess being sold back to the local electric company.
*Carbon-neutral/zero net energy cohousing clustered on ~ 60 acres of landThe housing component will be constructed following “Passive House” Standards which is far more efficient than “Leed Certified”
*Modest square footage in private homes
* Community engineered wetland septic systems and a community well system
*Bicycle and pedestrian-friendly design (site is 2.5 miles from downtown, Prescott.
We are in the early planning stages of the community, the property has been optioned, and some soil testing has been done as have several designs for the community septic systems. Planning and reservations will begin in earnest in 2009 with infrastructure construction to start on phase one in April 2010.
We are assembling a contact list of individuals and families, please e-mail
scvhev@gmail.com
About fifteen households comprise our current forming group. We vary in age from 20-somethings to 70-somethings, with households comprised of singles, couples, and families with children (newborns to adult). Most are from the St Paul area, but several are from farther afield. All of us are interested in creating a supportive, sustainable community in a beautiful rural setting within a short commute to the Twin Cities metro area. We welcome you to join us in planning our future community.
To respond please send an email with your name, address, and a contact number.
upon completion of Entitlements we will contact you, this may not be until later this year. Status: Activley designing | 
