Our Site
The Location
For a slide show of pictures of the site, see the Picasa photo album
Kimberton is an ideal location for a development like this, a sustainable development, comprising of green commercial spaces and a variety of homes. We are confident Kimberton will support the principles of Cohousing.
Kimberton is one of six designated village locations in the six-township Phoenixville region of Chester County, PA slated for development. (See the maps on the link in Links for exact location.) This was the recommendation of a group of planners and other professionals who worked with all constituents in the area to produce the Regional Plan, and the Township has embraced their findings. (See Links for report)
Although Chester County ranks among the highest in the nation in new job offerings, the immediate Phoenixville area could use more local jobs to help maintain income diversity and promote home ownership affordability. This Altair helps to do.
Read some of the information contained on the websites listed in Links. You will find, among other things, that the schools around Kimberton are among the best in Pennsylvania, that East Pikeland Twp has adopted a model storm water management ordinance, and that the area has a long tradition.
Altair's location is perfect for a project that seeks to makes the best use of existing infrastructure, taking advantage of both public water and sewer at the site. One of our suggested designs puts almost all of the parking underground, allowing for pedestrian orientation. It also helps achieve a higher density, as suggested by both the "Keystone Principles" and the Phoenixville Regional Plan (adopted by East Pikeland and other area townships), which calls for development to be concentrated in existing built areas. Land values, typically 1/3 of the cost of a project, are very high in Chester County. We anticipate that Altair's dense footprint will not only optimize public infrastructure investments but also promote major cost advantages, allowing the project to offset a significant portion of the increased capital costs of the clean energy improvements. Since 2000, Chester County has grown by more than 50,000 residents, with much new development occurring in rural farming areas. Altair's proposed site is less than two blocks from the center of Kimberton Village, walking distance from Kimberton Whole Foods, restaurants and other businesses, a park, post office, and a planned school. The project is fully compliant with East Pikeland zoning and with the goals of the Phoenixville Regional Plan. The Site The site is gently sloping, with a high point to the south and east, and low points to the west and north. (See Picasa web album below) There are some wetlands at the north of site which we are planning as designated "open land" and "woods," and would be used for recreation, gardens, orchards, and bike/walking paths. Per the Township ordinances, this Open Space contributes to the overall compliance with Zoning. Soils are well drained and eminently qualified for building. The water table is very low, which allows us to consider below-ground construction for parking. There are no easements, save for the Sunset Lane exit north to Seven Stars Road. As far as we can tell, there are no encumbrances, environmental issues, or site considerations prohibiting the type of development we are seeking. Public water and public sewer are located nearby, at the Kimberton Road/Prizer Road intersection. The current zoning for most of the property we seek to control is "KR" -- Kimberton Retail. The KR zoning is designed to encourage a walkable community that includes both residential and commercial uses, The Township requires that 25% of the first floor area is "non-residential." The Cohousing Common House counts toward that as well, as does any contained outdoor courtyards.
