In the cohousing development model the future residents participate in the planning, design and development of the community so that it directly responds to our needs.

 
Our dream is that a few years from now, the Belterra site will be a neighbourhood of attractive, energy efficient homes and common buildings. Our gardens will be lush, our children will be happy, our neighbours and friends will visit, and the members of the larger Bowen Island community will be proud of our efforts. We are working with an experienced cohousing development consultant to help us manifest our vision and have hired Mobius Architecture to help us design our community.

The Belterra property is approximately 10 acres in size and is located within a 15 minute walk of the village of Snug Cove on Bowen Island. The site is sloping with some steep sections and a combination of forest and open meadow with a year round creek crossing the property. There are beautiful views to the mountains across Howe Sound and an eastern & southern exposure. Island Pacific School (a private middle school), Cates Hill Chapel, and the Teen Centre and Pre-school are all nearby.

The Context Plan and Aerial Context show the location of the property relative to Snug Cove and the surrounding area. The Site Features plan shows the Belterra property and its proximity to roads and neighbouring buildings.

The Biophysical Assessment prepared by Whitehead Environmental Consultants provides information about the presence of sensitive plant or animal species, habitats or ecosystems and streamside protection setbacks required to meet the provincial Riparian Areas Regulation.

We have applied to the Bowen Island Municipality for a rezoning to allow for 30 townhomes clustered in 5 compact buildings that will integrate 25 market and 5 non-market homes. The homes will range in size from approximately 500 square feet to 1200 square feet with a 3000 square foot common house that will include a dining area and kitchen (for occasional meals together), guest accommodation, children’s play areas, and meeting spaces. Other accessory buildings may be incorporated for workshops, greenhouses, bike storage, garden sheds, composting and recycling. The shared facilities support interaction among neighbours and function as an extension to our private dwellings making it possible to reduce the home size (and overall carbon footprint) without negatively impacting lifestyle.

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