It's fun to think about the future, and we particularly like the predictions here. Rock bottom solar prices, people power, Net-Zero Energy buildings, and more. What are your favorite trends of the future?
It's fun to think about the future, and we particularly like the predictions here. Rock bottom solar prices, people power, Net-Zero Energy buildings, and more. What are your favorite trends of the future?
Posted by Three Groves on 01/12/2012 at 09:19 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
Thank you to everyone who came to our Conditional Use Hearing with the London Grove Township Board of Supervisors. Yet again, we have had a wonderful experience with our local government. Questions from the Board were well-considered and thoughtful. Comments were constructive, and the entire effort was clearly oriented towards making London Grove Township a great place to live. Our crack legal and engineering teams handled every questions with apparent ease, although I know there was a lot of hard work behind the scenes to pull it all together.
The record of the hearing was left open, and we will go before them again on February 1. We will confirm that date as we get closer, but pencil it in on your calendar. There are some conversations to follow up on sidewalks, sight distances, and some other minor items, but nothing that seems like a show stopper.
Posted by Three Groves on 01/05/2012 at 09:16 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
![]() |
| Personalize your own slideshow |
Posted by Anthony Aufdenkampe on 01/04/2012 at 09:18 AM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Three Groves needs your support. Our Conditional Use Hearing with the London Grove Township Board of Supervisors is this Wednesday, January 4 at 7 PM at the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Rd, West Grove PA. (Our calendar has details here, click on the line to expand the details.)
If you are able to come and show your support, we would greatly appreciate it. Although the township has been amazingly engaged and interested in our project, it always helps for us to be able to show that we have support from the greater community, too.
We will get a Potluck on the calendar for later this month as soon as we can, so watch for that notice, too.
Posted by Anthony Aufdenkampe on 01/04/2012 at 09:12 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
It has been a fantastic week so far. On Sunday, we had almost 30 people at the Potluck, including half-a-dozen brand new faces, and some folks we have met before, but hadn’t seen in a while. We hope to see them all again, of course. The children had a fantastic time making cookies with Margot. The stated purpose of the cookie exercise was to provide cookies for Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, but there were plenty for the hungry bakers to eat some, too. Judging from the sticky faces, no one left with an empty belly. Be sure to click on the picture to see all of our bakers.
Tuesday evening we went in front of the Planning Commission (with plates of cookies in hand) to officially kick off the Conditional Use process. The township engineer had reviewed the plans and submitted a letter listing a number of concerns like moving the workshop out of the setback, potential glare from the solar array, ensuring adequate fire truck access, and ensuring adequate buffering. However, nothing seemed like it was insurmountable. Our counsel, engineer and developer were able to address everything wonderfully. After a few additional questions and a bit of discussion, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that we proceed to the Conditional Use Hearing with the Board of Supervisors. We’re sure the cookies helped, too.
Pencil in the evening of January 4 on your calendars for our Conditional Use Hearing. We’ll confirm that on the calendar as we get closer. We would love to have your show of support.
Posted by Three Groves on 12/14/2011 at 12:53 PM in Building Our Community, Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (2)
|
Kira and Elise know how I sometimes struggle to ensure that blog entries go up in a timely manner. Sometimes they come rapid-fire, sometimes we have a slow month. So they decided to help out by creating a little Three Groves Quiz. Open the Powerpoint, run the presentation, and you can take the quiz. (Sigh.) It has now been publicly demonstrated that my children (ages 8.5 and 11) know more about Powerpoint than I do.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/27/2011 at 03:25 PM in Children's Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Posted by Three Groves on 11/20/2011 at 03:20 PM in Children's Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
We had a wonderful time sharing our plans at the Unveiling, and we hope you enjoyed it, too. We also learned a lot from talking with you all, and are working to get some better answers, and to kick off our next activities. Here’s what is going on:
Flexibility – One of the questions we get asked a lot is “what if I join TGE, start putting money into the project, and then decide I have to quit?” (We know you would be heartbroken to leave us, of course.) Until now, our only answer has been that you could get your money back upon completion of the project. That could be a lot of time to be without money you started to put down on a house. We have discussed it, and have an alternate solution now. We will allow another person to buy out your interest in the project, including your position on the Lot Selection List if you have one. That way, you can get your cash out early. We hope that will alleviate concerns that many have had.
Pricing—Our developer has started work on the detailed Pricing Exercise so that we have more refined numbers to work with. After everything has been costed out, Members will get the chance to review everything, and determine where we could remove or delay items in the project. For example, we might decide to do some of the landscaping ourselves, or leave part of the Common House unfinished. This would reduce initial costs, and therefore lower house prices, something we are sure everyone is in favor of. The nice thing about a project like this is that we can put in some Sweat Equity to get a beautiful community for less cash.
Conditional Use – Last night, we went in front of the London Grove Planning Commission to begin our Conditional Use Hearing. We reviewed the project to-date, and shared our new plans. Questions from the Planning Commission were well-thought-out and positive. We have provided packets of information for their detailed study, and after the Planning Commission has reviewed everything, we go to a hearing with the Board of Supervisors. This is always a multi-month process, but we hope to get through it in relatively short order.
Committees—We’re realizing just how much work is facing us, and have officially formed some of the committees we need to divide and conquer all that needs to be addressed. We’re looking forward to learning how to relinquish participation in every minute detail, and see where others in the group take us.
Outreach—Now more than ever, we need to work hard to find those special people (like you) who want to live in Three Groves. The hardest hurdles are behind us, but Three Groves still needs you to become a reality.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/17/2011 at 05:54 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
Yesterday was inspiring, gratifying, and amazing. Over 125 people came to the land walk, to the talks at Dansko, or both. Some were old friends, some were recent acquaintances, and some were brand new faces. Whether talking to old friends, or newly-met ones, there was an energy to the air, and a sense that now is the time for an ecovillage.
For those of you who couldn't make it, or those of you who didn't grab a copy of the literature before it all vanished, follow this link for a complete downloadable copy of our Prospective Member Packet.
Many thanks to our two talented shutterbugs, Bonnie and Margot!
(Click on the thumbnails to get a larger image.)
Posted by Three Groves on 11/06/2011 at 03:32 PM in Building Our Community, Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
Here's the TV report aired by NBC10 in Philadelphia at 6:15 pm on Nov. 4. Reporter Doug Shimell drove out to our land in West Grove the previous afternoon to interview Janet, Peter, Sharon and I. They did a great job portraying what we are all about.
Here's the link directly at NBC if the embedded video seems to have problems.
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/05/2011 at 12:41 AM in Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Tune into NBC10 tonight by 6:15 pm to see a story about TGE!
UPDATE: The TV report, "'Eco-Village' a Town of the Future", aired at 6:15 pm on Nov. 4. It was a well done piece! Watch it online here.
That's a lot of press in one week! It clear there's interest in our "village of the future" as the Daily Local News put it.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/03/2011 at 03:12 PM in Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Today the world's population hit 7 billion people. A great NPR story this morning segways from there to describe the emerging market for small and super energy efficient homes. Read or listen to the article:
As Population, Consumption Rise, Builder Goes Small
by Christopher Joyce, NPR, Nov. 1, 2011
Posted by Three Groves on 11/01/2011 at 10:12 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Today we made the front page of the Daily Local News! Marcella Peyre-Ferry and Michael Rellahan inverviewed several of us last week and put together a very nice article. Read it online here:
A village of the future in London Grove
Published in Daily Local News Nov. 1, 2011
Please join in on a lively comment board discussion following the article!
The story also made it on the front page of the Avon Grove Sun with the title:
Three Groves Ecovillage is a national model
Published in Avon Grove Sun Nov. 03, 2011
An annoymous supporter submitted this op ed piece to the Daily Local News:
Ecovillage plans, a green concept worth pursuing
Published in Daily Local News Nov. 2, 2011
As we get the word out for our landwalk and design unveiling event that we're hosting this Saturday at Dansko, several bloggers have writen about us, including:
Powering up a net-zero-energy enclave
Posted on Philly.com's Chester County blog, Oct. 30, 2011
We're looking forward to having a good showing at our landwalk, presentation and reception.
We've mowed our future paths and staked out buildings on our land, so don't miss our landwalk, starting at 1 pm at the corner of Prospect Ave. and State St. in West Grove.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/01/2011 at 10:02 PM in Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Nine, what a wonderful number! We now count Wick and Jenny as our newest members, and are exhuberant to do so! Be sure to 'meet' them, and all the rest of us on the Meet Our Members page. Remember that if you click on the pictures, you can see the image in a larger pop-up.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/20/2011 at 08:16 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Three Groves Ecovillage Completes Design Phase, Unveils Plans
Net zero energy neighborhoods closer to groundbreaking in West Grove
West Grove, PA – October 14, 2011 –
Three Groves Ecovillage has completed the intensive schematic design phase of their project to build a net-zero-energy neighborhood near West Grove. To share images and schematics of their future homes and neighborhood, Three Grove Ecovillage will host an unveiling event at the corporate headquarters of Dansko in Jennersville PA, Saturday Nov. 5 from 2-5 pm. The event is an opportunity for people in the region to learn more and get involved in a project that will likely gain national attention as a model for smart residential development for the 21st century. Those interested in seeing the land are encouraged to join a land walk starting at 1 pm at the corner of State Road and Prospect Ave in West Grove. Homes in the neighborhood are still available.
“Our progress over the last year has been amazing” says Anthony Aufdenkampe, future resident of the Three Groves Ecovillage. “Last October, our proposed ecovillage zoning was unanimously passed by London Grove Township Supervisors, this winter we secured investor funds for the intensive design process, which we are just now wrapping up in preparation for conditional use approval later this fall.” Janet Hesselberth, another future resident, adds “Working through designs this summer with the architectural team and my future neighbors was really exciting and fun. We’re really looking forward to sharing these designs with potential neighbors, and of course moving in sometime early 2013!”
Three Groves Ecovillage is a group of local residents who has partnered with a nationally acclaimed green-building team to build the first net-zero energy neighborhood in the country. “Three Groves Ecovillage is being designed to integrate a smart array of the most effective green building principles and technologies,” says Sandy Wiggins, former Chairman of the US Green Building Council and a principal of Aye Partners. “We want to create beautifully functional and durable homes that produce all of their own energy and sell them at a price that any prospective home-buyer can afford,” continues Wiggins.
Margot Mohr Teetor, the project’s green realtor adds, “With no utility bills and very low maintenance costs, these homes will demonstrate the superior long-term economy and marketability of green design.” Not all homes in Three Groves Ecovillage have been pre-sold. Three Groves Ecovillage will be located just south of West Grove Borough, northwest of the corner of Prospect Avenue (Route 841) and West State Street, and across the street from the new 125 acre London Grove Township community park.
The venue, Dansko’s corporate headquarters (33 Federal Road, West Grove PA), is itself an attraction and educational component for the event. Dansko’s building was designed with many green building principles, and small group tours will be offered from 4:00-5:00 pm. The building was awarded a gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.USGBC.org). Gold is the second highest rating, after the relatively uncommon LEED Platinum rating. Three Groves Ecovillage will be seeking the LEED Platinum rating.
Media Coverage:
Media are encouraged to attend the public event but asked to pre-register by emailing ThreeGrovesEcovillage@gmail.com. Photos of the site and residents are available on request.
Three Groves Ecovillage (www.ThreeGrovesEcovillage.org) is an organization of local people seeking to build and reside in an environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhood. They are actively growing and seeking new members and future residents.
Aye Partners, LLC (www.ayepartners.com), are leaders in sustainable development and green building, and have commissioned Re:Vision Architecture (www.revisionarch.com), a leading green design firm, to head up the plans.
Margot Mohr Teetor, Realtor with Re/Max Town and Country (http://www.margot.your-move.com), has worked as the Buyer’s Agent for Three Groves Ecovillage and will act as Seller’s Agent for Ecovillage homes listed online with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Figure Caption (DSC_3575-crop.jpg): Future residents of Three Groves Ecovillage sketch ideas on draft designs with the professionals from Re:Vision Architecture and Aye Partners. Photo Credit: Bonnie Dickson.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/16/2011 at 09:05 AM in Press | Permalink | Comments (3)
|
October is a great time to enjoy beautiful fall weather and do something good for the planet.
East Bradford Township will be planting 1,000 tree saplings at Shaw’s Bridge Park along the Brandywine River at 200 S. Creek Road, West Chester, PA 19380 (just upstream from the Brandywine Picnic Park) on Saturday, October 15, starting at 8:30 AM. Volunteers are needed to do the planting. The rain date is Sunday, October 16, starting at the same time.
If you can help with this event, please go to www.eastbradford.org
on the Internet to sign up. Click on the “Saturday, October 15 – Tree Planting Day” link on the home page. Then use the “Click Here” orange link in the Green Committee paragraph at the bottom on the next page. That will take you a more complete description of the event that includes links where you can sign up to participate.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/07/2011 at 07:55 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Three Groves Ecovillage (TGE) invites you to preview their plans to build a net-zero energy cohousing community in West Grove, PA.
Meet the members, walk the land, see our new design plans and hear more about this 37 unit neighborhood, which will be diverse, multi-generational, and environmentally and socially sustainable.
Saturday, November 5, 2011.
1 pm Land walk at the intersection of State Road and Prospect Ave,
West Grove, PA 19390. We've marked out and mowed the
footprints of our future homes and all the paths and parking.
Seeing all "on the ground" with an architect's plan in hand
really makes our plans come to life!
2-5 pm Presentation and Reception at Dansko headquarters.
33 Federal Road, West Grove, PA 19390.
Prentation of our new design plans begins at 3 pm.
Tours of Dansko's LEED gold facility begin at 2 pm & 4 pm.
Refreshments.
Please RSVP to via http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/fcj2n4d34w72jj667, threegrovesecovillage@gmail.com or 610-643-4411.
Or if you have a last minute change of plans, just come out! We'll have plenty of space and refreshments.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/05/2011 at 08:36 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection Invites You to hear Rich Chapas present
Sustainability: Confused Yet?
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
7:00 PM at the West Chester, PA Borough Hall
401 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA
The word has many meanings, but from a business perspective it means innovation and from a personal perspective it provides you a path to the right choices. It's the triple bottom line and tonight you will learn what that means.
by
Rich Chapas, PhD
University of Delaware
He is a business and technical leader and educator with broad experience working at universities, government agencies and laboratories, and industrial corporations. His teaching and training experience includes strategy, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainability and green business, all of which he teaches at the U. of DE.
Rich currently directs the National Science Foundation funded Delaware EPSCoR program, working closely with the four partner academic institutions to improve research infrastructure, education, and economic development. Previously he has run his own consulting business and has worked for the following companies: Battelle, Director of Industrial Relations; Rayonier, Vice President of Research & Development; Kimberly-Clark, Senior R&D Manager; Johnson & Johnson, Group Leader; and Eastman Kodak, Senior Scientist.
Posted by Three Groves on 09/28/2011 at 01:54 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
After over 2 months of very intensive design workshops, or charrettes, we are very excited to finally have near-final design plans and sketches to share! Take a peek at our current site, unit and common house designs on our newly updated "The Plan" page. Click on this site plan below to see it all in one place, complete with detailed versions of our actual building designs, or go to The Plan page to see all eight drawings.
The effort, care and consideration that went into these plans can not be overstated. All TGE members met with our full professional design team about every 2 weeks since mid-May. We literally considered the placement of nearly every room, wall, and path, and we reviewed well over a hundred draft scetches. So if you have any questions about what you see, email us and we'll be sure to give you the full story. We're not yet 100% done, so we're also interested in hearing your feedback.
Posted by Three Groves on 08/18/2011 at 12:25 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (10)
|
One of the big worries that we all have in moving to the ecovillage is the size of the homes. Will they be too small? Will Great Aunt Martha’s hutch fit? Do I need a guest room? Will I have to tolerate the kids playing computer games in the living room? What will it be like to have fewer bathrooms? For myself at least, I think I can now address this.
For the last 18 years, I have lived in a 3300 square foot, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. It was 11 large rooms to heat, cool, maintain, insure, pay taxes on, and clean. The guest room was used 1-2 times per year. As I could afford it, I actually bought furniture to fill rooms that were empty, not because I desperately needed to use the rooms, but just because they were there. Generally, our stuff expanded to fill the space we had. I realize all of this in hindsight. At the time, it just seemed to happen without plan or reason.
I just moved to a 1260 square foot, 2.5 bedroom, 1 bath farmhouse with my two girls. It’s a rental, and the landladies know that we will leave when the ecovillage is ready. In our new home, the girls’ bedroom has an incredible set-up with a loft bed, regular bed, and a “fort” under the eaves. My bedroom has an adjoining alcove (the 0.5 bedroom) that serves as a study. Large closets and the ability to store a few things in a nearby workshop helped ease the transition. We have a few green amenities we couldn’t at the old house like a solar and wind-powered clothes dryer (aka clothesline) and “pig-cycling” (kitchen scraps go to the pigs on the farm instead of down the garbage disposal or in the trash). I’m really enjoying both of those, but come January, I think I may be glad for the indoor electric clothes dryer that is here, too.
Knowing the move to smaller quarters was coming, I spent the last many months cleaning out accumulated junk, and deciding which furniture had the most sentimental value to me. I made use of a consignment shop, FreeCycle, and the trash to de-clutter and reduce. If I had been more organized, Craigslist and the community yard sale would have been good opportunities, too.
The biggest challenge has been adapting to having only one bathroom. We all have had to learn proper shared-bathroom etiquette. (1. Don’t knock unless you really need either the person or the toilet. 2. Be prompt when it is your turn.) Otherwise, the house is great. Careful planning was key, but the space suits us well, and I now fully realize how poorly we used the 3300 square feet in the old house.
Just in case you were wondering, Three Groves is planning on 2 bathrooms in the homes with multiple bedrooms. That’s probably best for the girls and me, too. The teenage years are closer than I want to think about.
Posted by Three Groves on 08/09/2011 at 09:03 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
What starts out as a seemingly doom-and-gloom article about how we are consuming resources beyond the means of the planet actually ends on a very hopeful note. And when the New York Times publishes a piece like this, you really have to take notice. Thomas Friedman has provided a compelling Op Ed. Read more.
Posted by Three Groves on 06/15/2011 at 09:05 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (2)
|
(Click each image for a larger view.)
The Design Charette conducted by ReVision was fantastic. We had our developer, architects, landscape architects, engineers, realtor, and a builder there in addition to TGE members and potential members. We reviewed two sets of sketches for floor plans and perspectives of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes, and then 4 sketches of how the homes could be laid out on the land, taking into consideration exact set-backs and slope. As we reviewed each plan, we discussed the strengths and opportunities for improvement. The energy level was high, with wonderful ideas from all.
“Can we fit in an extra unit?” (from Jackie, the developer, who always watches the bottom line.)
“Where’s the natural swimming pool go?” (from Anthony, who is ready to dig the hole by hand if needed.)
“I’d like a straight run of stairs.” (from Steve who recounted trying to move a large mattress into a house via the window.)
“I like turned stairs so you can only fall down half a flight at a time.” (from Janet, who’s sister has a 2-story straight run of stairs with a plate glass window at the bottom.)
“We’re all avid gardeners. Weeding the native plantings won’t be a problem.” (from Anthony, who also wonders where we can fit in 1/4 acre of flowers for Bonnie to sell.)
“Rent-a-goat!” (from Janet, on the need to remove the invasive multiflora rose without herbicides.)
“Can we switch the kitchen and dining room?” (from Sharon, looking for practical solutions.)
"The kitchen has to be open. Everyone always ends up in the kitchen anyway." (from Mandy, who must entertain a lot more than some of us.)
Next steps are to reconvene in a couple of weeks via online meeting room to see revised sketches, and then to hold our next Charette at ReVision at the end of June. We can’t wait!
Posted by Three Groves on 06/08/2011 at 06:50 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
In case you didn't see it, the Chester County Press carried a nice article about our Liz Walker book-signing and the kick-off of our design phase.
Read the article here.
Posted by Three Groves on 05/24/2011 at 08:00 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
We're declaring the Liz Walker Book Signing to be a great success, with attendance by about 70 very interested people. After introductory remarks from Anthony Aufdenkampe, Liz spoke about EcoVillage at Ithaca, and read a few passages from her new book, Choosing a Sustainable Future. Three Groves also got the pleasure of announcing our 7th new Member, Cathy Reimer, and then we broke for refreshments and conversation.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a lengthy essay by our favorite realtor and friend, Margot Mohr Teetor. Be sure to click on each picture to get a larger image.
Posted by Three Groves on 05/17/2011 at 07:27 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (3)
|
Please join the DVGBC “GREEN HOME CARAVAN” on Saturday May 21st
featuring State Rep. Chris Ross' home. Space is limited.
The Delaware Valley Green Building Council’s (DVGBC) Residential
committee will host a “Green Home and Vineyard Tour” in scenic southern
Chester County on May 21 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. followed by refreshments
and an optional wine tasting of Stargazers Vineyard's sustainably produced
wine. The tour will visit three exciting examples of green building in the
Delaware Valley. Learn about sustainable building practices from the
owners, designers and builders of these fantastic homes.
Our first home will be the residence of PA State Representative Chris Ross
and Cecilia Ross, recently featured in Garden Design magazine for its
sustainable approach to the garden as well as the home. The next home pays
homage to rural Chester County while utilizing state of the art sustainable
building practices and technologies. Last stop on the tour is the passive
solar home at Stargazer's Vineyard built by Sunwood Builders and whose
design is based on the Cincinnati Ekosea home.
Cost $25 DVGBC Members, $35 Non-Members, $15 Students & Professionals in
Transition
Tour details and registration:
http://dvgbc.org/education/green-home-caravan
**PRE-REGISTRATION IS IMPORTANT** – space is limited, and exact addresses
and itinerary will be sent upon registration.
**NOTE: the carpool location on the website is incorrect and will be
updated shortly. For carpooling please contact Kelly@yourlifemoves.com.
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Three Groves on 05/17/2011 at 07:13 AM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
Come learn, share and perhaps to volunteer. The conference will feature cohousing and community experts - and is a great opportunity to network with dedicated cohousing activists, supporters and residents from around the world. Presentations and workshops will address everything from the basics of cohousing, designing and building communities, living in community as well as how we can contribute to making cohousing more widespread, more sustainable and more affordable. Washington D.C. offers a great opportunity for thought leaders and policy makers at the national level to consider what the cohousing model has to offer in the goal of creating better neighborhoods for the future.
Posted by Three Groves on 05/06/2011 at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
We’ve spent a lot of time together, describing our perfect community in terms that architects can relate to. It has been fun, but now it gets better. We get to start working closely with selected professionals and our architects (ReVision), and we want you to help. We know that many of you have been watching and waiting to see what happens with the project; now we’re going to make it easy for you to join in.
Saturday June 4, 2011 (9:30AM - 4:30PM) we have planned an all-day session at Dansko (33 Federal Road, West Grove PA 19390) to review Site Plans and Unit Design Concepts. Lunch is included, and this session will be open to all Full Members and prospective members. The registration fee is $150 per household; $30 to cover some of the day’s expenses, plus $120 to cover a year of our $10 monthly donation for those who regularly attend meetings.
Monday June 27, 2011 (1:30 – 5:30PM) we have a session with ReVision to review Synthesized Unit Plans and the Massing Model. This will be held at the ReVision offices in Manyunk (133 Grape Street Philadelphia, PA 19127). This session will be open to all Full Members and to prospective members who make a $500 deposit toward becoming a Full Member of Three Groves Ecovillage LLC, which can eventually be converted into a downpayment on a TGE home. This is a great way begin to participating in decision-making with TGE, but without needing to come up with a lot of cash all at once. Of course, if you are ready to become a Full Member, we will send you a copy of the Operating Agreement upon request.
Friday July 15, 2011 (9:00 – Noon) we will review the “Skin & Pearls” (external and internal materials, key landscape features, etc) at ReVision. This session will be open to all Full Members and to prospective members who make an additional $500 deposit toward Full Membership.
July 30, 2011 (9:30AM-4:30PM) we will present the final plans at Dansko, with full agenda TBD. A portion of this session will be open to the public. We encourage all Full Members and prospective members to attend too, of course.
Posted by Three Groves on 05/05/2011 at 09:00 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Three Groves Ecovillage Kicks Off Design Phase with Liz Walker Event
Founder of Nation’s First Ecovillage Will Speak on “Sustainability: Your Great Grandchildren’s 401(k)?”
West Grove, PA – May 2, 2011 –
Three Groves Ecovillage is beginning the intensive design phase of their project to build a net-zero-energy neighborhood near West Grove. To kick off these efforts, the group is hosting a presentation and book signing by Liz Walker, author of Choosing a Sustainable Future and EcoVillage at Ithaca: Pioneering a Sustainable Culture. The event will be held on Sunday May 15 at 6 pm at the Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale PA. A reception and book signing will follow the presentation.
“Our two-years of hard work has paid off!” says Anthony Aufdenkampe, future resident of the Three Groves Ecovillage. “In October, our proposed ecovillage zoning was unanimously passed by London Grove Township Supervisors, and this winter we secured investor funds for the intensive, and expensive, full design process, which we start on June 4th.” Janet Pelletier, another future resident, adds “Hosting a visit by Liz Walker will provide perfect inspiration as we head into the fun part of this project that we have all be waiting for! We also hope that the event will inspire new members to join our project.”
As founder the nation's first ecovillage, Liz Walker has become a leading worldwide advocate for sustainable living (http://www.liz-walker.org/). She will describe how the City of Ithaca, New York has embraced the sustainability revolution with incredible enthusiasm. From co-ops and carshares to credit unions and community health care, Ithaca is rising to the challenges of the day with practical, real-world solutions. The real-world, real-time examples of citizen engagement in Ithaca are a taste of what life could be like in a sustainable city of the future.
Three Groves Ecovillage is a group of local residents who has partnered with a nationally acclaimed green-building team to build the first net-zero energy neighborhood in the country. “The design concept for Three Groves Ecovillage is to integrate a smart array of the most effective “green building” technologies,” says Sandy Wiggins, former Chairman of the US Green Building Council and a principal of Aye Partners. “We want to create beautifully functional and durable homes that produce all of the energy for their own heating, cooling and lighting needs, and sell them at a price that any prospective home-buyer can afford,” continues Wiggins.
Margot Mohr Teetor, the project’s green realtor adds, “With no utility bills and the very low maintenance costs of super durable materials, these homes will demonstrate the superior long-term economy and marketability of ultra-green design.” Not all homes in Three Groves Ecovillage have been pre-sold.
The Three Groves Ecovillage team believes that their neighborhood will likely gain national attention as a model for smart residential development for the 21st century. Three Groves Ecovillage will be located just south of West Grove Borough, northwest of the corner of Prospect Avenue (Route 841) and West State Street, and across the street from the new 125 acre London Grove Township community park.
Mid Atlantic Cohousing is co-sponsoring this Liz Walker event as part of a mid-atlantic book signing tour.
Media Coverage:
Liz Walker and Three Groves Ecovillage members are available for interviews on the morning of Monday, May 16. Media are encouraged to attend the public event but asked to pre-register by emailing (ThreeGrovesEcovillage@gmail.com). Photos of the site and residents are available on request.
Three Groves Ecovillage (www.ThreeGrovesEcovillage.org) is an organization of local people seeking to build and reside in an environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhood. They are actively growing and seeking new members.
Aye Partners, LLC (http://www.threegrovesecovillage.org/professional-team.html), are leaders in sustainable development and green building, and have commissioned Re:Vision Architecture (www.revisionarch.com), a leading green design firm, to head up the plans.
Margot Mohr Teetor, Realtor with Re/Max Town and Country (http://www.margot.your-move.com), has worked as the Buyer’s Agent for Three Groves Ecovillage and will act as Seller’s Agent for Ecovillage homes listed online with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
# # #
Posted by Three Groves on 05/03/2011 at 08:25 AM in Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
COME JOIN US for a presentation and book signing by LIZ WALKER, author of Choosing a Sustainable Future and EcoVillage at Ithaca: Pioneering a Sustainable Culture. As founder the nation's first ecovillage, Liz Walker has become a leading worldwide advocate for sustainable living.
Three Groves Ecovillage is hosting the event at:
Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale PA.
Sunday, May 15
6:00 pm. Lecture
7:00 pm. Reception & Book Signing
Liz Walker will describe how the City of Ithaca, New York has embraced the sustainability revolution with incredible enthusiasm. From co-ops and carshares to credit unions and community health care, Ithaca is rising to the challenges of the day with practical, real-world solutions. The real-world, real-time examples of citizen engagement in Ithaca are a taste of what life could be like in a sustainable city of the future.
This event is part of a book signing tour organized by Mid-Atlantic Cohousing, http://www.midatlanticcohousing.org/booktour.html. This will be the third visit by Liz Walker to our area. She last spoke at the Stroud Water Research Center in April 2008.
To RSVP, please call Anthony Aufdenkampe at 484-748-0252 or send an email to threegrovesecovillage@gmail.com
Posted by Anthony Aufdenkampe on 04/29/2011 at 01:54 AM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection (4CP)
Invites You to Join Us
On Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM
at the
West Chester, PA Borough Hall
410 East Gay Street
Three Groves EcoVillage:
Building a Green Community Together
A Community that Saves Energy & Is Sustainable
Janet Hesselberth will present:
What is Co-housing?
What is an Ecovillage?
How is life in a Coho/Ecovillage community greener?
Three Groves Ecovillage Project Status
Anthony Aufdenkampe will present:
Physical Design Considerations
Passiv Haus and LEED Standards – What are our goals?
Making the math work – How is living greener cost effective?
Please Visit the 4CP Website
Posted by Three Groves on 04/27/2011 at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
For those of you who don't know her, Liz Walker is one of the movers and shakers in cohousing. She is one of the founders of the EcoVillage at Ithaca, and continues her work promoting sustainable living through multiple venues, including the Eco Village's Center for Sustainability Education.
The Eco Village's Center for Sustainability Education and the Tompkins County Planning Board have been awarded a $375K grant "to fund innovative ... approaches to creating dense neighborhoods that enhance resident's quality of life while using fewer resources."
Under Liz's guidance the Eco Village is demonstrating how the three pillars of sustainability work together to create an integrated system of sustainability: environmental, economic and social sustainability. Now, w/ this grant, there will be three levels of development models for professionals to study as living demonstrations of sustainability: hamlet, urban in-fill and village.
You can read more about the grant and download the EPA press release at The Cohousing Blog.
Honoring the publication of her new book, Choosing a Sustainable Future, Mid Atlantic Cohousing is sponsoring a book tour for Liz in the Mid-Atlantic region in May. Various cohousing communities in the region (including Three Groves) will be hosting Liz for presentations, discussions and book signing events.
Liz is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming national conference in June in DC. How very timely.
Congrats to Liz, The Eco Village and the Tompkins County Planning Board. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of this grant manifested in mainstream communities throughout the US and beyond! And, congrats to cohousers everywhere!
Posted by Three Groves on 04/21/2011 at 04:01 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Longwood Gardens is a beautiful DuPont estate garden and greenhouses near here that is well worth the time to visit. It turns out that they are going green(er) by installing solar panels sufficient to generate 1.5 megawatts of power. I think I'm jealous. Read more here.
Posted by Three Groves on 04/14/2011 at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Here's another type of community that resonates with us-- a "Pocket Neighborhood".
"Pocket Neighborhoods grew out of the work of Ross Chapin and his colleagues, but the idea is beyond any one person or style. It is pattern of housing that fosters a strong sense of community among nearby neighbors, while preserving their need for privacy. Examples can be found across the sprectrum, from small towns, to suburbs to urban areas."
It sounds very much like Cohousing, and we consider ourselves to be both a cohousing community (emphasizing social sustainability) and an ecovillage (emphasizing environmental sustainability). We're delighted to discover a sister movement to house people more wisely.
Posted by Three Groves on 04/04/2011 at 03:31 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce reaching another major milestone: we have the promised investor equity in hand! With that wonderful news, we get to pay some bills and start work on exciting things for this spring.
The challenge that our investors have set for us is to get 12 or more committed buyers by summer 2012. We have about 6. If we can get to 12, the investors will provide the next installment of equity so that we can break ground on the first phase of construction. We feel that this is both a reasonable and achievable goal, and look forward to meeting it.
Come to the next Potluck, meet us, find out how you can help, and figure out if you might be one of those special 12 households. If we all work together, Three Groves will be a reality soon.
Posted by Three Groves on 03/25/2011 at 08:02 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Perhaps you've seen this already, but when someone forwarded this to me, it struck a chord. In many ways, being green is about a return to old fashioned values.
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman
that plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to her and explained,
"We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
That's right, they didn't have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles and beer bottles to
the store.
The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled,
using the same bottles over and over.
So they really were recycled.
But they didn't have the green thing back in her day.
In her day, they walked up stairs,
because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building.
They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine
every time they had to go two blocks.
But she's right.
They didn't have the green thing in her day.
Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have
the throw-away kind.
They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220
volts -
wind and solar power really did dry the clothes.
Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always
brand-new clothing.
But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day.
Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room.
And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, not a screen the size of
the state of Montana .
In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand
because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you.
When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail,
they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble
wrap.
Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn.
They used a push mower that ran on human power.
They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club
to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.
They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty,
instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water.
They refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen,
and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole
razor
just because the blade got dull.
But they didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to school
or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour
taxi service.
They had one electrical outlet in a room,
not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.
And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from
satellites
2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But that old lady is right.
They didn't have the green thing back in her day.
Posted by Three Groves on 03/21/2011 at 03:31 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
We've been saying we want to be Net Zero Energy, generating as much energy over the year as we consume. Here's a family who went nearly Zero Waste. They followed the three R's: Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle to the nth degree. What an inspiration!
Posted by Three Groves on 03/10/2011 at 09:40 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
As is always wise, we've been getting bids and doing some interviews to select our architecture firm for the next phase of our project. Re:Vision Architecture, whom we had already worked with in the Concept Phase has been selected to continue onward with us. We are very excited about this and hope that you are, too.
We have a planning session already scheduled with Re:Vision, and are targetting mid-March to do our first Design Charette with them. All Full Members will participate, along with a select few professionals who can offer guidance. We will work together to design our homes, the exact layout of the community, and the Common House. If you are interested in participating, now is a great time to join as a Full Member. We're moving in to a very exciting time in the project.
Posted by Three Groves on 01/27/2011 at 12:59 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (3)
|
Don't worry folks, we're still here. Now that the holidays are over, it's back to work. We continue to work on the legal documentation for our investor equity and are enjoying reading the 62-page legal document we just received. (Not!) And as always, we refine the cost sheet as we get better estimates for various project expenses. Who knew there was so much behind-the-scenes hard work to do this?
In the meantime, here's a community in Georgia called the Nest Cottages at Serenbe. We'll just dream about that for a while.
Posted by Three Groves on 01/23/2011 at 09:46 AM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
(My little poet has been at it again. Kira is 10, and this poem just placed third in the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild's Annual Young Writers Contest. We're very proud.)
I sat upon a little hill,
Alone with the sky and the sea,
And dwelled upon my curious thoughts,
That seemed some memory.
So I just sat and listened,
To the tulips swing and sway,
And Little Robin Redbreast,
Call unto the day.
And I watched the pearly dewdrops,
I saw ripples in the pond,
I squinted over the horizon,
Into lands beyond.
Then I did remember,
A thought of purest gem,
Nature needs you, you, and you,
As much as you need them.
Posted by Three Groves on 11/08/2010 at 07:04 PM in Children's Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Folks, we are just so excited…we’re going to let you in on a some breaking news: Three Groves has verbal commitment for investor equity to get us through the Design Phase.
This is a huge milestone—one that many young cohousing communities don’t get past. We still have to do some legal paperwork to do to set that all up, but here’s what it means for the project:
1. We are going ahead and interviewing Architecture firms to select one to take us through the design effort.
2. We are anticipating doing Design Charettes with the selected Architect in the early part of 2011.
3. We’re so exuberant that we are extending the lower membership offer to the end of 2010.
We do intend to do some design pre-work that would be open to a wider audience, but the Charettes themselves are Members Only. Now is the time to check the calendar for upcoming TGE events (Nov 17 talk and Nov 21 Potluck), come meet us, and make 2010 the year to join Three Groves!
Posted by Three Groves on 11/01/2010 at 07:03 PM in Building Our Community, Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Posted by Three Groves on 10/28/2010 at 06:53 PM in Building Our Community, Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Of course, we already knew this. Less house, less stuff, more simplicity, lower footprint on the planet. Natural Home Magazine has a short article on the trend towards smaller homes in America.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/21/2010 at 09:20 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
With the Ecovillage Zoning Amendment now safely passed, a huge amount of project risk has been taken off the table. The next step for Three Groves Ecovillage is to secure financing that will enable us to move through Conditional Use and Land Planning approvals and to engage in detailed design of the site, homes and Common House. Before we can take that step, we need to know that we have a sufficient number of commitments from future residents of Three Groves to purchase homes in the project. If we are successful in gaining those commitments, we could break ground in late spring of next year with first move-ins as early as Thanksgiving 2011. Please reply to threegrovesecovillage@gmail.com (use the "Email Me" link in the left margin) with your responses to the questions below so we can determine our next steps. Please forward this email to anyone you feel may be interested.
Remember:
1. 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes will be available, in the price range of $200,000 to $400,000.
2. Those who commit earlier to the project will have lower home prices and better choices of lots.
3. All homes will be high-quality townhouses and will be LEED Platinum Certified and Net Zero Energy. They will be connected with walkways, and will share a beautiful Common House.
4. Households who make a down payment but are unable to complete the purchase of a home will be refunded their money at successful completion of the project.
5. More information is available at www.threegrovesecovillage.org
Questions:
1. Are you interested in owning a home in Three Groves Ecovillage? Why or why not?
2. What is the likelihood that you would put a partial down-payment ($10,000 or more) on a home by
a. November 2010, when it is most beneficial?
b. March 2011?
c. July 2011?
3. What would you need in order to feel comfortable enough to make a down payment? Please select all that apply:
a. Nothing. The check is in the mail (or will be soon).
b. I just want to meet you. I’ll be at the Potluck on October 17.
c. Detailed site and house plans
d. Exact prices
e. Sample units already built
f. A better economy
g. Other_____________________________________
4. Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Posted by Three Groves on 10/13/2010 at 09:30 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Now we've made it to the big time...we're on YouTube. When frequency555 reached out to us to do a video blog, I was not sure what to expect, but was willing to try it. I think they did an outstanding job. You can watch it below, from frequency555 here, or from YouTube here. Take your pick. Be sure you also check out frequency555. They're a new green blog, currently traveling the country in search of green folks and green events.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/10/2010 at 12:08 PM in Building Our Community, Press | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
It is with great pleasure that Three Groves Ecovillage announces the passage of an Ecovillage Zoning Amendment in London Grove Township, Pennsylvania. This amendment rewards green construction with higher building density, allows lower parking requirements, and allows a Common House. We are delighted that this Amendment applies not only to our 7.5 acres of land, but to any land zoned Rural Residential in the township.
Many thanks to those who wrote letters of support, and who worked tirelessly to craft an amendment that will make London Grove Township a leader in green development.
Now the fun begins! We will be working on finances, finding more members, and doing the architectural design. We hope to break ground by the end of 2011, with first phase move-in in 2012.
Posted by Three Groves on 10/06/2010 at 07:43 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (4)
|
Here's something to get excited about in our very own West Grove.The Garage Youth Center needs our help to get funding from Pepsi, and it's very easy for all of us to do.
The Garage Youth Center has wonderful goals:
Everyday this month you can lend your voice to bring the Garage and it's services to the students of the Avon Grove area. Help get enough votes to win the Pepsi Refresh Grant in October.
You can do this in two ways each day.
1. Through the web, visit refresheverything.com/westgrove
2. Text 103432 to Pepsi (73774) - standard text message rates apply.
Other things you can do to help
"Like" the Garage Community and Youth Center on Facebook.
After you vote you can share with all of your friends, co-workers, and networks and ask them to vote for our project too.
On their pepsi page you can find simple tools to share with your facebook, twitter, and even get a widget to post on your blog and website. Help spread the word and get the votes.
Finally, anyone can sign up to receive daily email reminders at http://eepurl.com/bbziM,
Together we can do it!
Thank you for your votes!
Posted by Three Groves on 10/04/2010 at 09:19 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (1)
|
We're going back for another (hopefully last) Zoning Hearing. Please come to the London Grove Township Zoning Hearing on Wednesday October 6, 6PM at the London Grove Township Building (372 Rosehill Road, West Grove PA) and show your support for Three Groves.
It took a little longer than we hoped, but we are getting ready for our next Zoning Hearing for our Zoning Amendment. This is a critical milestone to pass an Ecovillage zoning definition that can be used by us and by any future Ecovillages in the Township. Some of the key highlights are that it would allow an Ecovillage to:So where do you come in? On Wednesday October 6 at 6PM at the London Grove Township Building (372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove PA). We need all the supporters we can gather to come to the hearing and be willing to be counted amongst our fans. We especially need you if you reside in London Grove, but even if you don’t, please come. The more people present and in favor of our project, the better we think things will go. The Board of Supervisor (the folks who will be voting at the end of the Hearing) are elected officials, and as such, listen to the voices of their constituents.
We will be sending out reminders to our email distribution and Facebook as we get closer, but please put it on your calendar now. Your presence would help us out a lot.
For those of you contemplating membership, if the Zoning Amendment passes on October 6, you have until October 31 to join at the lower initial rate mentioned in previous posts.
Posted by Three Groves on 09/14/2010 at 12:09 PM in Progress Report | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
It was summer, and we were feeling like kicking back a bit. We’d had minimal newcomers at Potlucks during the summer, so we decided that instead of a normal Potluck, we’d have a Potluck/Pool Party. One of our members has a great pool at their house, so we planned on rendezvousing there with our dishes. But then, the newcomers started calling and emailing. They wanted to see the land and meet members, so our Pool Party suddenly turned into a Newcomers’ orientation.
Without us advertising anything, suddenly we had six newcomer households visiting us that afternoon, from as far away as State College, PA, and New York City. The weather didn’t cooperate, and several of us worked between thunderstorms, ferrying the newcomers between the land and my house where we had the posters and literature. They asked a lot of great questions, but when it came time to go to the Pool Party and meet more of our members, they looked (as one) out the window, saw the sheets of rain, and kindly declined.
Brave (or foolhardy) souls that we are, all of the Three Grovers continued undaunted in the rain to the Pool Party. Amazingly, as we got there, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and we got to enjoy a lovely evening of eating, talking and swimming.
We think we’ll see some of our newcomers again soon, and hopefully get the pleasure of meeting more newcomers as we get our Zoning Amendment moving. (Stay tuned for the date—the Board of Supervisors has agreed to schedule another hearing for us.)Posted by Three Groves on 09/06/2010 at 06:54 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
Posted by Three Groves on 08/12/2010 at 06:15 PM in Building Our Community | Permalink | Comments (0)
|
While fewer new homes were built in the past year in the
Portland, Oregon metropolitan area than in the previous year, the market
share of third party certified homes increased. Twenty three percent of
all newly constructed homes in the Portland metropolitan area sold
between May 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010 received a third party
certification. This finding is based upon data reported by the Portland area RMLS to Earth Advantage Institute.
The term “certified home” refers to homes that received an Earth
Advantage, Energy Star, or LEED for Homes designation, or a combined
Earth Advantage/Energy Star designation. Certification and sales
information is reported by participating real estate brokers to RMLS.
The Portland metropolitan area region includes Multnomah, Clackamas,
Columbia, Washington and Yamhill Counties in Oregon and Clark County in
Washington.
This finding continues a three year trend in which the market
share of certified homes in the Portland region has increased. Please
see Table One below for detail.
Table One - Certified Homes in Portland Metropolitan Area, 2009-2010
| Number of certified new homes sold | Market share among all new homes | Price premium | |
| May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008 | 833 | 14% | 21% |
| May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 | 674 | 17% | 12% |
| May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010 | 403 | 23% | 18% |
Data provided by RMLS and compiled by EAI. Percentages rounded to nearest whole number.
Homes
with a third party certification sold for more than their non-certified
counterparts, both in the new home and existing home markets. New homes
in the six county Portland region sold for 18 percent more, while
existing homes with a certification sold for 23 percent more.
Table Two - Average price premiums for certified homes, 2009-2010
| New homes | 18% |
| Existing homes | 23% |
Data provided by RMLS and compiled by EAI. Percentages rounded to nearest whole number.
“As
energy efficiency and healthier homes gain more attention, builders and
homeowners increasingly place value on home certification,” said Sean
Penrith, executive director, Earth Advantage Institute. “It is very
encouraging to see the market share of certified homes continue to rise
over the past three years despite the difficulties in residential
markets.”
RMLS reports sales data by county. Table Three below provides
more detailed information on the range of price premiums observed in
different parts of the Portland metropolitan area. Clark County, WA was
the one area in the metropolitan region where newly constructed
certified homes did not sell for more. However, certified existing homes
in Clark County continued the trend. As a group, existing homes with a
sustainable certification in Clark County sold for an average of
$278,400 versus $234,100 for homes without such a certification, or 16
percent more.
Table Three – Average Sales Price Among All Homes and Price Premium for Certified Homes
New Homes
| New Homes | |||||
| |
Clackamas |
Multnomah |
Washington |
Yamhill |
Clark County WA |
| Non certified | $326,300 | $266,000 | $315,100 | $271,100 | $264,500 |
| Certified homes | $391,500 | $310,100 | $332,300 | $325,100 | $252,600 |
| Price Premium | 17% | 14% | 5% | 17% | -5% |
| Existing Homes | |||||
| Non certified | $328,000 | $282,400 | $274,000 | $221,800 | $234,100 |
| Certified homes | $365,000 | $416,800 | $388,300 | $308,000 | $278,400 |
| Price Premium | 10% | 32% | 29% | 28% | 16% |
The Portland area RMLS first began collecting information about
home certification in the spring of 2007. It is the first RMLS in the
country to do so.
Posted by Three Groves on 08/03/2010 at 04:51 PM in Green News | Permalink | Comments (0)
|