Local developer Tod duBois will hold two informational forums
this week as he tries to get locals interested in his plan to build
a unique neighborhood on Vista Park Hill.
Hollister – Local developer Tod duBois will hold two informational forums this week as he tries to get locals interested in his plan to build a unique neighborhood on Vista Park Hill.
The forums will be aimed at introducing the community to the concept of cohousing – a different way of building a community that gives future residents the chance to actually help design their neighborhood. duBois wants to build a cohousing development of 15 to 30 condominiums on nearly three acres bordering the northeast corner of Hollister’s panoramic Vista Park Hill.
“We’re going to talk about what is cohousing and about how it fits in Hollister and how people can get involved,” duBois said.
The forums will be held Jan. 27 from 7-9pm and Jan. 28 from 9-10am. Both forums are free and will be held at the Dunne Park Clubhouse in Hollister. There will be a workshop following the Jan. 28 forum, which will include lunch, a tour of the proposed site and a presentation from a national cohousing expert. The workshop, which will last from 10am-3pm, costs $25. Anyone interested in learning more about the cohousing project planned for Hollister is welcome to attend, duBois said.
duBois described cohousing developments as “old fashioned” neighborhoods where residents have a strong sense of community because of their involvement in the design process.
“The best part about cohousing is really getting to know your neighbors before you even move in,” he said.
There are cohousing communities in rural, suburban and urban areas throughout the nation, with 20 in California. Last year, residents – ranging from young families to retirees – started moving into a 36-home cohousing development in Paso Robles called Oak Creek Commons. Many cohousing communities have a theme or philosophy. Marsh Commons in Humboldt County is based on respect for individuals and for the land, according to that neighborhood’s Web site.
Cohousing developments typically have a common house and outdoor areas aimed at getting residents out of their homes and interacting with one another, according to the Cohousing Association of the United States. Though they have private kitchens in their homes, residents at many cohousing neighborhoods often cook and eat meals together, according to the association.
duBois’ project will focus on providing homes for local workers, but, he said, if there are not enough locals interested, the homes may be sold to people from other areas. Homes will range in price from $250,000 to $500,000, depending on what features – such as a common house, swimming pool and size of homes – are desired by the community members who help design the project.
Development Services Director Bill Avera said that housing, especially affordable housing, is needed in Hollister and duBois’ plans to build on Vista Park Hill near downtown is consistent with the city’s general plan.
“It fits into what the city of Hollister is sort of outlining in the general plan,” he said.
But, Avera added, duBois will face the same challenges that any developer wanting to build in Hollister will face – such as the state-imposed sewer moratorium that prohibits new construction requiring sewer hook-ups. Another challenge is the city’s growth control ordinance that sets an annual limit of 244 new dwellings per year.
For more information call 623-2138 or visit www.hollistercohousing.com.
