Communities Directory: Sylvan Oaks

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Forming Formed: 2008

Sylvan Oaks

Roseburg, Oregon,

United States

Sylvan Oaks is a unique forming co-housing community’s located in a beautiful valley of southwestern Oregon on the edge of Roseburg. Sylvan Oaks’ core values include sustainability through stewardship, living social justice through spiritual values. A key intention of the community is to journey and support about one third of the members that have a mild to moderate learning disability so that they can lead independent lives. All community members are valued for the diverse gift they bring to the mutual good. All members are supported to develop their abilities and talents to the full, thereby realizing all their potential as individuals. Life at Sylvan Oaks, based upon sustainability, faith, and focused on caring , will be a call to simplicity where all members are supported in their spiritual journey.

Roseburg is located on I-5 about 2 hours north of the California border and slightly more than an hour south of Eugene. It is lies in the rolling hills of the Umpqua Valley . Umpqua Community College is about 5 miles from city center. The Pacific Ocean is a 2 hours drive to the west and the Cascade mountains, Diamond Lake and Crater Lake National Park lie an equal distance to the east up the North Umpqua River. The region offers diverse recreation such as hiking, hunting, or world famous fly fishing. The climate is mild with four distinct seasons.

Our site is about 3 acres on the gentle slopes of Mount Nebo in west Roseburg.

It is a White Oak Savannah with a seasonal stream lined with Oregon ash trees. Our forming community will be less than ½ mile from the city limits offering a wide array of small town (population 20,906) amenities without long commutes. Yet, Sylvan Oaks is in a quiet rural setting with trees and views of the nearby hills and mountains. The site will be developed to offer community vegetable and flower gardens, orchards and vineyards, walking trails and benches for contemplation. Community members will share in the development and care of the gardens, common landscape and trails.

Sylvan Oaks Community members will lease a site for individual homes. The lease will mean no homeowners association monthly fees nor annual property taxes. The homes will be owned by the community members, Each home will be manufactured to high standards to conserve energy and water as well as promoting low maintenance, safety and beauty. Homes will be very affordable with a goal of under $75 per square foot of living space. All will have front porches facing common areas or community streets to encourage social interaction, a slower life, and a sense of belonging.

A meal will be shared once a week at various member homes while the community is small. As the community grows a community center will be developed to reflect the interests and desires of the community.

Members will be encouraged to interact with neighbors on a daily basis, sharing a walk, work in the yard or garden, or having a cup of coffee. We will share our tools, music, videos, food, produce, fruit, and our gifts including ourselves. We will offer to give a neighbor a hand cleaning, cooking, remembering to take medicine or visits to the doctors or shopping. We will share birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days as extended families. We will see each other as brothers and sisters on a common spiritual journey.

We will promote a life that values renewable energy and works to seek ways to reduce carbon emissions. We will encourage solar water heaters and electric panels. We will buy local produce from the farmers market or from local farmers of Garden Valley. We will reuse or recycle as well as make compost. We will retain all the trees possible on the site and plant more to absorb carbon dioxide from our highly efficient wood or pellet stoves.

Status: Forming taking lease preapplications

Contact:

Paul Morgan
3150 West Military Ave
Roseburg, Oregon 97471 United States
Phone: 541-673-1081
Send an Email

Links:

Umpqua COmmunity College: Local Community college

Roseburg Oregon Visitors Center: Information about the Umpqua Region

Roseburg Oregon Chamber of Commerce: Information about Roseburg, schools, medical care, etc.

Weather Underground Roseburg Oregon: Roseburg Oregon weather and climate information

Vineyards and wines of the Umpqua Valley: Listing of local vineyards

Roseburg Farmers Market: Local produce

Last Updated:8/19/2009

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Call or email Paul or Liz Morgan to have a tour of the site and discuss the community.

Population Open to new adults: Yes Open to new children: Yes Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Age Focus: No Focus Age Restrictions: No	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (amount to be determined) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: Yes (monthly lease payment)
Land and Buildings Suburban (rural setting near town) Area: 4 acres (1.6 hectares) (more land is available to expand) Land Owned By: Other (landowner lives adjacent to site) Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (plan to have community gardens) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week (perhaps more depending on the community members) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Prohibited	Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: Yes (non-denominational faith in God) Which Spiritual Path(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions")

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Forming

(Own SIte)

Number of Units:

Phase one up to 15 homes with maximum of 40 home sites if needed

Architect:

consulting with local experts in Roseburg

Developer:

self-developed

Commercial Lender:

self funded

Click an image to see it full size.

Become an Editor Current editor(s): pdmorgan

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