San Mateo Ecovillage :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 1998 Established: 1998

This page last updated:2/19/2011

San Mateo Ecovillage

San Mateo, California,

United States

(About 20 miles south of San Francisco)

We are a small suburban community facing a lagoon between San Mateo and Foster City, California. We purchased a four-unit building in 1998 and after seven years of waiting, in 2005, we purchased the second building. We have planted fruit trees and extensive organic gardens. We are seeking other "families" to co-own and/or rent in some form of a cooperative—something between intentional community and cohousing, though we identify most with the concept of a mini-ecovillage. We will probably use the legal structure called “Tenants in Common.” We have worked to help develop more of a community within the local neighborhood. The location is wonderful: lots of birds, sunrise over the water, nearby biking/walking path, park with playground, tennis/basketball courts, and city amenities of proximity to freeway and public transportation, etc.

Values we would like to see "grow" on this site can be summed up in the concept of sustainable development: growing some of our own food; supporting local organic farmers in farmers' markets or in a community-supported agriculture (CSA); reducing, reusing, recycling; avoiding buying food and other items that contribute to the destruction of local economies and the environment. We want to share time in the garden, meals at the dinner table, and other activities with the people we live with. We seek open communication and a deep expression of feelings. We expect those wishing to join us to have a commitment to these values and goals as well.

Community founders are also very involved in progressive politics, and although not a requirement, would welcome people who share their passion for planetary transformation.

Website: http://www.greensolutions.org/smcc.htm

Contact:

San Mateo Ecovillage
3329 Los Prados St
San Mateo, California 94403 United States

Links:

San Mateo Ecovillage

Wiki Map

Picasa web photo album

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

the second half of a video I took with my iPhone Spring 2010

See Video full size

Former/Other Names: San Mateo Cooperative Community

This page last updated:2/19/2011

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Please send an email.

Affiliations: Enchanted Garden Intentional Community

:: Dragon Belly Farm

:: Damanhur, Federation of Communities

Network Affiliations:

Ecovillage Network of the Americas

:: Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: GEN - Global Ecovillage Network

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.

Because our housing is a single housing unit and requires the sharing of bathroom, kitchen and common space membership/residency may be restricted based on sex/gender in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, 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 domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 15 Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: Other (We try to use consensus when appropriate. Some decisions need to be made by owners.) Identified Leader: Yes (My husband and I are founders, but do not necessarily need to remain as leaders.) Leadership Core Group: No (We are moving in that direction.)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (about 12 hours/month in the garden, shared meal and meeting weekly) Join Fee: No (rent or mortgage payment in one of the most expensive housing areas in the country) Regular Fees: Yes (rent or mortgage share, share gardening expenses)
Land and Buildings Suburban Area: 0.5 acres (0.2 hectares) Land Owned By: A subgroup of community members (open to renters becoming co-owners) Number of Residences: 8 (in two 4 unit buildings) Cohousing: Yes (related to cohousing as well as other forms of intentional community)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (and increasing) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week (informal sharing at other times) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (common meals are vegetarian) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Prohibited	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (focus, but not primary) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) (various spiritual traditions) Educational Style(s): Public schooled (one family is currently home schooling)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Retrofitting

Number of Units:

Click an image to see it full size.

Become an Editor Current editor(s): cohousing, sanda

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