This planned community occupies two parcels of land connected
by a wooded pedestrian easement. It is located in the historic
neighborhood of Candler Park in
Atlanta. Its location provides any number of amenities within
a ten minute walk including the Little 5 Points Village, Candler
Park and golf course, and a MARTA rail stop.
The clusters of attached townhouses were designed into the site
to leave as much 65 % of the property area undisturbed. Built
into the plan is an organic garden on the Southern site, which
will provide a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for
the residents and local community.
A Village: Candler Valley Community is designed
as a village. The homes will be arranged together to shape several
out door living spaces available to the members of the community.
The outdoor spaces will include courtyards, a green, unit pavers
(brick, stone, etc. not poured paving like concrete or asphalt.),
flowers, trees, vines (especially fruit bearing plants), furniture
such as benches and sitting walls, fountains, a fire place, and
other features. The exterior features of these outdoor rooms will
be predominantly masonry. The village is designed for walking
within and walking connection to the surrounding neighborhood.
Each home will be an expression of the individuality of its owners
while it reinforces the aesthetic of the village. Each will be
designed to be compatible with the village in terms of materials,
size, detail, and quality. The village will be designed as a cohesive
whole. The village, the landscaping, and each home will be designed
by Village Habitat Design, LLC or Preston & Assoc., Inc. Each
home will be customized to the needs and desires of the owner
as long as it respects the overall design of the village. Artistic
expression in the craft and adornments of the homes is encouraged.
Model sustainable systems (solar, storm water, etc.) will be
designed and installed to enhance the aesthetic of the village.
Alterations or additions to the homes will require architectural
review.The visible parts of the community will be kept neat and
orderly.
Candler Valley Community will be ecologically effective.
Conserve resources:
The community will endeavor to use all resources effectively and
without waste wherever possible, whether resources are abundant
or meager.The homes will be built to exceed the Earth Craft program’s
standards by 25%. They will be built to meet the Creek Keeper
standards of Peavine Watershed Alliance.The community will own
some shared resources. The principle shared resources are the
green space, the village common areas, and the common house. The
common house will have features chosen by the residents that can
replace underused spaces within conventional homes such as guest
rooms, play room, workshop. This allows the homes to be smaller.
The community may agree to own other shared resources.
Preserve green space:
The community will preserve at least 60% of the property for green
space. This will include grass fields, vegetable gardens, woodland,
and wetland areas. (Areas not considered to be green space are
building footprints, hard paved areas, previous paved areas, decks,
patios, compacted earth areas.) The community will also preserve
mature trees on the property whenever possible.Landscaping of
courtyards and other greenspaces will be done with native species
or fruit bearing speciesThe community will use most of the site
at the McLendon end for Community supported Agriculture. We will
construct a cottage for the gardener to live in. Organic gardening
methods will be used whenever we can.
Transportation:
The community will have an information board for ride
and errand sharing. At the 1 primary village area one parking
space will be reserved for a community owned shared vehicle. The
community will be built to strengthen the links for walking within
the community and with the surrounding neighborhood.
Candler Valley Community will be for people.
Like all living things, we must cultivate community for it to
thrive. It will take time for the community to mature. Cohousing
provides a well-developed model for community which is not ideological,
but builds on the common interests of the participants. Candler
Valley will be organized as a cohousing community. At the same
time Candler Valley will be a place for privacy as well.
Resident participation:
Before the community structures are built the residents will be
able to participate in the design of the common house, the landscape
areas, and of course their own homes. Residents will be personally
involved in the upkeep and cultivation of the landscape, hardscape,
and common house.
Decision Making:
The community will make decisions by consensus, and not
by unanimous agreement. Consensus decision-making requires flexibility
on the part of individuals. Each person will be given an opportunity
to be heard. Decisions will be made mindful that no decision should
be harmful to any member of the community. When there is not general
agreement, issues will be decided by vote of the homeowners. Percentage
of agreement required will vary for different types of decisions.
Ownership:
Homes will be fee simple and owner occupied. Absentee rental of
private homes will be allowed only under specific circumstances,
and only by agreement of the community. As part of promoting diversity
within the community, rental of a room or small apartment within
an owner occupied home may be allowed with agreement from the
community. In addition, the community may choose to own one or
more homes for rental. Common areas will be owned by the residents
one share per household.
The community will be a place for diversity. Homes of smaller
than average size will be allowed. Co-purchase of homes will be
encouraged. Quiet home occupation without vehicle traffic will
be encouraged.
