Orange County NC Website
17 <br /> Consultants on this project cover the range required for a major development such as this <br /> one. Agri-Waste Technologies surveyed the property soils, streams and wetlands, and <br /> developed a proposed wastewater system design. McConnell & Associates created a plan for <br /> the community well and water distribution. Groundwater Management Associates and <br /> GeoSolutions evaluated potential well sites based on hydrogeological characteristics. The <br /> Nau Company developed the civil engineering components, including roads and stormwater <br /> management. Ramey Kemp Associates conducted traffic studies and analysis. Robinson <br /> Plante conducted the land survey. <br /> Meanwhile, H4D was formed as a cooperative association pursuant to NC G.S. Chapter 54, <br /> subchapter IV, to serve as the business entity for the project. Cooperative housing is an <br /> organizational model that has grown rapidly in recent years in states like Minnesota and <br /> Wisconsin and served as an inspiration for H4D. Co-op housing provides increasing numbers <br /> of families of modest means - the missing middle, especially seniors - with affordable <br /> independent living options. However, H4D may or may not operate as a housing cooperative <br /> for the entirety of the community. That is yet to be determined, depending on decisions of the <br /> co-op members in their democratic process. H4D will initially function as the land owner and <br /> developer, then serve as an umbrella owners' association similar to the role played by such <br /> associations in planned communities. In such a role, it will develop and enforce covenants <br /> prescribing standards of construction, maintenance and operation across the entire <br /> community. It will own and operate the common facilities. <br /> Surveys of 2T members were done to elicit preferences for housing types and features. An <br /> early decision influenced by the emphasis on senior living was that all residences should be <br /> built to universal design standards to make them accessible to people regardless of age, <br /> disability or other factors. A related aspect is that of single level living, with possible <br /> consideration of multilevel dwellings to accommodate visiting family or storage areas. The <br /> survey results showed a strong preference for relatively small residences averaging 1,250 sf <br /> with 1,800 sf being a possible upper limit and others being as small as 600 sf. <br /> Multiple types of housing were included in the design specifications according to the desires <br /> of prospective residents. Three multifamily buildings would have 60 dwelling units. There <br /> would be 41 units in duplex/triplex buildings. Single family residences would make up the <br /> remaining 49 units. <br /> Implementing a plan with three different types of dwellings was challenging in regard to many <br /> details, such as access, parking, open space, and proximity to the community commons, but <br /> the Master Plan Concept Design accomplished the desired diversity. The resulting design will <br /> provide broad appeal that will facilitate individual decisions about living in the community. All <br /> residences will use an ownership model. No rental properties are planned. As previously <br /> mentioned, universal design standards will be mandatory. <br /> The multifamily buildings are three-story flats with 20 units per building. The units will range <br /> from studios to two bedroom dwellings, providing a variety of sizes to accommodate diverse <br /> numbers of occupants per unit, needs and budgets. Three such buildings are planned for final <br /> H4D Narrative, Pg 4 <br />