February 1, 2018

Site Tour: Saturday, February 10, 2018

Cohousing is About Connection

Cohousing developments can be small or large, rural or urban, multi-generational or population-specific. But what they share is a strong sense of community and a deep support system. Neighbors look out for each other, share community work, and play together. It's no surprise that cohousing is gaining popularity across the country.  With excitement, the future residents of Fair Oaks EcoHousing are already collaborating and connecting with each other to build a caring community (and you're welcome to join us!). Read about one family’s entry into cohousing, and reflections from other cohousing residents, in this recent New York Times article: “There’s Community and Consensus. But It’s No Commune.” NYTimes-Cohousing Communities

Meet Our Builder - Bardis Homes

We are very proud of our Builder, Bardis Homes. The company is run by Katherine and Rachel Bardis, who were just featured in the Sacramento Bee in an article These Infill Homes that praises the success of The Mill at Broadway, an urban infill project that will eventually have up to 1000 homes.  The Bardises know that many buyers are looking for homes that fit with their lifestyle, rather than the traditional single-family home on a large lot. We chose Bardis Homes to build Fair Oaks EcoHousing because they have a wonderful track record and they are big supporters of infill projects. We believe in infill projects as an antidote to the suburban sprawl that plagues much of our region. Since Fair Oaks EcoHousing is close to the American River Parkway and Fair Oaks Village, it is a classic infill project. To learn more about Bardis Homes, visit  About Bardis Homes

Member Construction Tour

On January 6th, a mild Fair Oaks winter day, Fair Oaks EcoHousing held its first Member’s Construction Tour. Our members joined Darryl Berlin, our construction manager, and Katherine Bardis of Bardis Homes for an update on the earth moving and pad construction activities. Then we walked around the site to see the pads being prepared for each of our homes. Afterwards, we had a celebratory lunch at Smokey Oaks restaurant nearby. We plan to have construction tours for our members once per month so that we can enjoy tracking the progress of building our new homes.

Join Us! Homes Available

As construction begins on our project, Fair Oaks EcoHousing has only a few homes left. Act fast to reserve a spacious 2-story 4 bedroom townhome that is now available. Key features include: • Generous square footage: 1726 square feet • Large windows, allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the home and make rooms feel light and spacious • Large, open design for living and dining areas, providing more natural light and flexibility in use • Large kitchen with ample storage and counter space • One bedroom downstairs, three bedrooms upstairs, and three baths • Spacious upstairs master bedroom with a full master bath and walk-through closet • First-floor bedroom, ideal for a home office, an aging family member, or single-floor downstairs living • Large wrap-around porch that provides roomy outdoor living space Like all homes in Fair Oaks EcoHousing, this townhome is designed for efficient living, with eco-friendly construction and high-quality fixtures and finishes. Fair Oaks EcoHousing is a pedestrian-friendly village for residents of all ages, with a centrally-located clubhouse, pool and spa, and garden.  The location is close to Fair Oaks Village and the American River Parkway, with many nearby dining and entertainment options, plus easy access to the freeway. If you are interested in learning about the community, please come to the site tour on Saturday Feb. 10.

Questions? Click to email Alan Albrecht or call 916-945-1369.

COMMUNITY NEWS Find Out About Our Community

Fair Oaks EcoHousing members make regular plans to get together, have fun, and get to know each other. And you’re welcome to join us— take a site tour,  meet our members, and  join us at future events. Read below and check out the  News and Events page on our website for more information.

Upcoming Events

Fair Oaks EcoHousing Site Tour Saturday February 10 , 10:30am Fair Oaks EcoHousing will be a neighborhood of 30 homes on 3.7 acres in Fair Oaks, CA, 18 miles east of downtown Sacramento. Come see the site and our architectural plans, and meet members at an upcoming tour. Kids are welcome. Act fast! Fair Oaks EcoHousing has only a few homes left. If you are interested, please come to the Site Tour (details below). Other h omes do become available on occasion. If you like what you see at the tour, please join our interest list to be notified of new availability.  To go on the Site Tour, meet at 10:30 am at the Fair Oaks Coffeehouse in Fair Oaks Village, at 10223 Fair Oaks Blvd , at the intersection with Park Drive. Look for us on the side of the Coffeehouse, in the patio area or in the building at the back. We can carpool to the site. Please wear closed toe shoes to visit the construction site. The tour will last about an hour and a half, with an optional lunch afterwards at the Siam Patio Restaurant or the Smokey Oaks Tavern.

To RSVP or get more information about the Interest List, Click to email Alan Albrecht or call 916-945-1369

Creating Community and Quality of Life Want to learn more about cohousing? Come to a local workshop Feb. 5 at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, sponsored by Washington Commons Cohousing.

Cohousing 101: Creating Community & Quality of Life February 5 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sacramento Natural Foods Coop – 28 th & R Streets Registration $15, $10 for Co-op Owners Another opportunity to learn more about cohousing is at this evening workshop at the Natural Foods Coop. The workshop will include an overview of cohousing followed by a panel discussion of resident experts – people living in or working to create cohousing in our region. These are true leaders in this movement to create self-governed communities throughout the country: Stan Dawson of Glacier Circle Cohousing in Davis Stan worked with members of the Unitarian Church in Davis to create one of the first senior cohousing communities in California.   Trish Ryan of Southside Cohousing in Sacramento Trish purchased a home in Southside Cohousing in 2016 joining a long established cohousing community. She will talk about her experience as a newcomer and about what she has learned.  John Szostek of Fair Oaks EcoHousing in Fair Oaks John is part of a new cohousing community now under construction. John will tell us about his experiences working to create a new community. www.fairoaksecohousing.org . Kevin Wolf of N Street Cohousing , Davis Kevin and his wife purchased two homes in Davis in 1986.   Gradually they and their neighbors took down their fences and their community evolved till at this time it includes 19 homes. The community works to maintain a balance of owners, renters, young and old. www.nstreetcohousing.org Anne Geraghty of Washington Commons will facilitate the discussion and questions and answers. Come early and grab a bite to eat at the Coop’s extensive deli.  To Register go to: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3208085

Want to Learn More About Fair Oaks & Sacramento?

Pictured: Fair Oaks Village, Fair Oaks Theatre Festival, Floating the American River. Click below for useful links, there's a lot to keep us busy here!

Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Fair Oaks Events via Sac Bee Fun Things to Do in Fair Oaks Fair Oaks Parks & Rec Activities Visit Sacramento Travel Guide Sacramento Events Calendar Lonely Planet Guide to Sacramento Amtrak Capitol Corridor Route

Fair Oaks EcoHousing | www.FairOaksEcoHousing.org

Get to know the rest of our members

CONNECT WITH US!