Legacy Farm Cohousing plans to develop a cohousing community consisting of 37 units, including some duplex units and some single-family homes plus a Common House. We are primarily Ulster County residents, already strong contributors to the local community and economy. Our membership is multi-generational with a mix of singles, couples, and families with children. A primary goal of our project is to have the least amount of impact on both the land and our neighbors. We are making every effort to use the land well, preserve rural qualities, and create social benefits for the community.

Bellingham Cohousing, Bellingham, WA.
33 households.

THE COHOUSING DEVELOPMENT MODEL
Cohousing originated in Denmark in the early 1970’s. This innovative neighborhood design philosophy came to the United States in 1988 where it is now one of the most promising solutions to many of today’s most challenging social and environmental concerns. By creating a village/neighborhood cluster rather than sprawl development, we echo and preserve traditional rural development patterns. The cooperative intergenerational neighborhoods balance the advantages of self-sufficient private home ownership with the benefits of shared common facilities and ongoing connections with your neighbors.

There are currently over 120 cohousing communities in the United States with another 50 forming. See the Cohousing Association of the United States for more information on cohousing communities.

Cohousing communities are designed, planned and managed with a high degree of resident participation. We have an advisory team of professionals experienced in the cohousing model, group process, development, and sustainable building practices.

The plateau with the white pine stand where
the units will be built.

INDIVIDUAL HOMES AND THE COMMON HOUSE
Each household enjoys a private self-sufficient home, along with convenient access to a well-appointed Common House. This allows people to live comfortably in well-designed dwellings of smaller size.

BETTER LAND USE AND LESS RESOURCE CONSUMPTION
A large percentage of the property will be undeveloped open space. Roadways will be minimized and the automobile will be marginalized to create a pedestrian environment within the development. The property has been a pesticide-free farm for three generations. We are continuing that legacy by leasing acreage and barns to Binnewater Farm Project, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm on the land.

Our farm field where the Binnewater Farm Project CSA has been launched.

COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTALLY-SOUND DEVELOPMENT
Houses are relatively small, and density is high. We have situated homes to protect as many trees as possible. Buildings will be highly resource and energy efficient. Clustering will permit shared systems and less impact on our site. Photovoltaic panels will supply electricity.