Hart’s Millan Ecovillage in Efland, NC

November 2012

The Vision

Land Stewardship

"A human-scale, full-featured settlement in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, with multiple centers of initiative, and (which) can successfully be continued into the indefinite future.“

- Robert Gilman

Eco-Village Definition

The Vision

Built Environment

Pedestrian-oriented site plan

Clustered homes with a shared common house

Green building

Energy efficiency & renewables

Waste-water recycling and rain water catchment

The Vision

Lifestyle

Agrarian lifestyle with urban proximity

Bulk of community’s food produced, processed and stored sustainably onsite

Range of housing options and affordability

Separate finances (not shared income) Multi-generational

The Vision

Context

Pilot innovative sustainable living initiatives

Provide outreach & training programs for the public

Affiliate with educational institutions and projects

Explore local currency and barter systems

The Journey

NOV 2008: Formed Triangle Intentional Community Meetup group (TICMG) JAN 2009: spun off group to create an intentional community in the Triangle area Met weekly over a period of 2 years to address both physical & social aspects of the envisioned community

The Journey

MAY 2010: formed Carolina Common Well, LLC (CCW) to serve as development agency Also have the Center for Community Alternatives, (formerly called EcoAccess) a 501(c)3 non-profit organization AUGUST 2010: Alana Ennis approached CCW with offer to make her inherited 115-acre farm in Efland available as a site for the community

SEPTEMBER 2010: Began actively recruiting new members incl. tabling at conferences & festivals APRIL 2012: CCW co-sponsored with the Fellowship for Intentional Community ‘The Future of Community - Intentional, Cooperative, Sustainable!’ event in Durham MAY 2012: Permaculture site survey completed as basis for site planning

The Journey

JULY 2012: Approached School of Living regarding joining their community land trust SEPTEMBER 2012: First meeting with Orange County Planning Department and first community workday on land

The Journey

The Land

Location

The Land

Aerial View

The Land

Landscape

The Land

Characteristics

• Excellent soils for agriculture and septic• Large area of gentle south-facing slopes• Bounded on two sides by perennial streams• Pond (approx. 4 acres)• Ample ground water for well• Zoned R-1

Planning

Sketch Plan

Planning

Site Planning

Conducted permaculture site analysis

Researching planning & zoning regulations; meeting with Orange County planners

Exploring sustainable site development materials, techniques and approaches

Developing estimated infrastructure costs

Planning

Legal/Financial

Seeking optimum model for purchase, ownership and development that will ensure perpetual adherence to sustainable principles & affordability

Working with local attorney with expertise in farmland preservation and conservation easements

Need to ensure that housing discrimination laws are not violated by membership vetting process

Planning

Site Development Process

Submit conceptual site plan to County for review

Make revisions and submit final plan for approval

Build basic site infrastructure – roads, utilities

Close on sale or lease of individual building sites

Build common house and area walkways, lighting, foodscaping, etc.

Community

Membership

Founders envisioned more engagement than merely sharing a common house and garden

Separate finances and home ownership (equity)

Residents of the community will be vetted through a staged membership process with increasing bilateral commitment and responsibility

Community

Membership Levels

Exploratory: getting to know one other & exploring the alignment of our visions

Associate: participating in our community formation work with a minimum of commitment

Engaged: certain you want to join our community and feel ready to fully commit yourself to the work

Full: enjoy all rights, privileges & responsibilities

Community

Membership Timelines

Exploratory: open-ended until transitioning to Associate (self-declaring)

Associate: minimum 3 months until transitioning to Engaged

Engaged: 6 to 12 months until transitioning to Full

Full: perpetual until exit

Visit our website for information on membership:

http://hartsmill.net