While it is difficult to estimate how long it will take to find suitable land and acquire the necessary approval and permits, especially in Eastern Massachusetts, the stages of the project are reasonably predictable.

Milestones Achieved:

Autumn 2005: Common Hearth Cohousing formed

Autumn 2006: Operating Agreement finalized

Common Hearth now accepts Equity Households as members of the Limited Liability Corporation.

Spring 2007: Land-Search Consultant began research into feasibilty of cohousing in various towns

In Progress:

Grow membership

Raise capital for land purchase

Determine criteria for land search

Future steps:

Search for land actively and evaluate potential sites

Determine overall requirements for buildings and other features

Choose architect, project manager, and other professionals

Negotiate a land purchase

Raise capital for construction

Work with architect on site & building plans

Acquire approvals and permits

Build

Grow membership to fill all units

Move in and recover in our new homes

How long will it take?

Across the country, cohousing developments can take as little as 2 or 3 years from the first meeting until move-in. In Eastern Massachusetts, they have tended to take at least twice as long, due to the lack of available land and strict zoning laws. There is reason to hope that the process is speeding up in Massachusetts: "smart growth" and cluster zoning are becoming more common, and cohousing is becoming better known and therefore less scary to town governments and abutters.