By Michael Howell
It’s been a long time coming but work is set to begin this fall on the Ravalli County Council on Aging’s new “pocket neighborhood” development called Riverside Crossing. The development is implementing the new and innovative small cottage designs of Ross Chapin as well as an innovative co-operative ownership plan.
Paul Travitz, director of the local Council on Aging, said people do seem to be interested in the cooperative model although most people are not that familiar with it. It provides the benefits of home ownership without the demands of upkeep and maintenance of the units. He said the cooperative model, although new in Montana, provides an additional choice beyond rental or condominiums for active adults who are looking to downsize from a larger home and property to something maintenance-free, providing time for more enjoyable activities. The pocket neighborhood model provides a closely connected community with large front porches for greeting neighbors, but offers the privacy of a detached home with private space and gardens.
Travitz said because its unfamiliar, some people are hesitant about the tight use of space, of feeling crowded and wondering about privacy. “But that was in the old days,” he said. He said with the new designs coming out from architects like Ross Chapin, privacy is preserved, “even in close spaces.”
People are willing to look into it, apparently. Travitz said that over 50 people had already signed up to attend the presentation planned at the Bitterroot River Inn on October 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The development is planned to occupy the 20 acres of land donated to the Council on Aging in 2000 by Susie Wilkinson. The Council donated four acres of that land to the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority. The Ravalli County Council on Aging office complex sits on another 3+ acres. This left the Council with 12 developable acres, all within the limits of the City of Hamilton. 7.52 acres are zoned RH (Residential, High Density) and 2.87 acres are zoned CM (Commercial/Manufacturing). The Council also owns 2+ acres adjacent to the property that is outside of the city. The City of Hamilton provides sewer and water to the 12-acre property. All infrastructure for services – sewer, water, natural gas, electricity, high speed internet and cable – are presently installed.