October, 2007

What is it?  An exciting, new Intentional Community!
We are a small-town urban ecovillage on 7 acres in Port Townsend.  Our plan calls for approximately 44 adults and many children in dwellings varying from cottages and duplexes to rooms in a cooperative house and “satellite bedrooms.”  Resident farmers versed in permaculture principles will help us grow a significant portion of our produce on over 3 acres of our best land.  We have a beginning honey business and plan additional cottage industries, including a non-profit Education Center.  We will work together to measure and minimize our collective ecological impact.

How will it be structured?  As a Limited Liability Company (LLC)!
We have selected the LLC model in order to allow the greatest possible flexibility to meet our needs now and into the future. The LLC will own everything in common including the land, common buildings and dwellings, and will authorize where members may live and/or build a dwelling. The property will be purchased from Kees and Helen Kolff, founding members.

What might it cost?  We can only estimate!
The buy-in cost as of January 2008 will be about $55,000 per adult member and will increase at about 8% per year.  (There is no buy-in cost for children.)  This does not include the cost of dwellings, but does include part ownership and use of the many planned shared facilities, including a large common house (community center), workshop, bathhouse, laundry, greenhouses and more, allowing us to build smaller private dwellings. A formula will limit future resale profits to help keep membership affordable.  We are committed to financial accessibility and will offer a variety of options to help make living at the ecovillage affordable to people, including financing from an internal loan fund for those who qualify based on need.

How far along are we?  Making progress!
Conceived in December 2003, we have 8 adults, 2 children, tens of thousands of honeybees, and 2 rabbits on site. Several other members live nearby.  We are developing our policies, a final site plan, legal papers and a Planned Unit Development application for the City.  This fall we will begin construction of our first new dwelling space, a model unit of about 500 square feet, and expect to continue adding common infrastructure and more dwellings over time.

How can I join?  You will need to apply!
We usually offer tours once a month – usually the first Sunday of the month -- and welcome visitors.  Weekly business meetings are on Sunday afternoons. Anyone who wishes to come to more than a few meetings or be on our mailing list to get regular updates on our progress must become a Supporting Member for $50 (sliding scale available based on need).  Those interested in becoming resident members must first apply to become Provisional Members ($500) and can apply to become LLC Members after a 3-6 month provisional period.  Please contact us for tour and meeting schedule and/or to become a Supporting Member.  Thanks for your interest.

Who do I contact? PTEV Outreach Team at info@ptecovillage.org
Our web site is www.ptecovillage.org, or call 360-343-1355.
Also, check the Intentional Communities online directory at www.ic.org