The members of the Yarrow Ecovillage see themselves as “ordinary people” building an “extraordinary” neighbourhood on the western fringe of Chilliwack, close to the Abbotsford boundary.
Phase 3 of the co-housing construction is now underway, with two- to four-bedroom units available.
The community is about half full now, with 50 residents in the ecovillage so far – 17 of which are children.
The co-housing project has been underway in Yarrow since 2006, when Chilliwack city council approved an “ecovillage” rezoning designation for the 22-acre site, one of the first of its kind in Canada.
Several components make up the ecovillage, from the Groundswell co-housing units, to certified organic farming operations, and future plans for mixed commercial/residential development on the two acres closest to the road. There are plans to build a new common house in 2012, where community meals can be shared and other activities.
To learn more about co-housing, there is an upcoming talk by co-housing expert and architect Chuck Durrett.
Attendees can meet some people who have actually succeeded in building their own custom-designed neighbourhood. The event takes place on Jan. 20, 7 p.m. UFV Abbotsford Campus Room B101 (Main lecture Hall).
Also visit www.yarrowecovillage.ca