There’s a Whole Generation with a New Explanation

Whatwould Auburn look like with a Cohousing Community?

That’s what Merrill Kagan wondered about a few years ago after trying to find a vacancy at the Wolf Creek Lodge in Grass Valley, a 30-unit community of active adults over 50. Merrill had lived in Placer County for 35 years and would move back in a heartbeat if cohousing could be found in Auburn.

“I like the idea of community,” says Merrill, who sees a kind of freedom in working collaboratively with her neighbors to maintain a community garden, share meals and cook together in the communal kitchen. Her curiosity has taken her to eight different cohousing communities in California, Oregon and Washington.

She reached out to award-winning California Architect Charles “Chuck”

Durrett of The Cohousing Company in Nevada City to get the ball rolling. Chuck and Kathryn McCamant are credited with bringing the cohousing concept to the U.S. Durrett and his team have created more than 50 cohousing projects across the states, including Nevada City and Grass Valley.

A cohousing neighborhood is composed of privately-owned homes clustered around a shared open space, and facilities such as a dining hall and kitchen, workshop space, children’s area, guest rooms, lounge area, pool, garden, etc.

Organizers are negotiating a deal for a 4.6-acre oak-studded parcel of land in North Auburn that could be developed for a 36-unit multi-generational village. If approved, the development would be walkable to BriarPatch and other amenities like parks, schools, churches, public transportation, the hospital and shopping.

“We wanted something close in so it would be accessible to everyone,” says Merrill.

Interested members have a choice of four different floor plans – with options ranging from one-bedroom/one-bath to three-bedroom/ twobath at a cost of $430,000 to $750,000. There may Common house floor plan be first-time home buyer assistance programs available.

The group is seeking membership from folks interested in investing in the project. Introductory orientations and presentations are given regularly.

Interested in learning more? Visit: auburncohousing.com.