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Sustainable Development
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed five areas of emphasis that are important to promoting sustainable development. Below is a review of how the EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA is addressing each of these important areas of concern.
Low-impact development - avoiding sprawl
• Site is located on farm that was already zoned for residential development
• Site is within walking distance of 250-year-old hamlet of Taylorstown, VA
• Of the original 180-acres, approximately 85% of the 28 lot development in the northern 80 acre section is to remain as permanent open space. The southern 100 acre section is no longer formally a part of the EcoVillage and has been placed under permanent conservation easement held by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. Subject to Loudoun County approvals, a maximum of 5 lots or an environmental/health facility with one caretaker residence can be developed on this privately-owned property.
• State collector highway provides approximately one mile of road frontage to the site
• Ten minutes by car from site to Washington, DC commuter train station (MARC Train)
Protecting vital resources
• Entire original 180-acre site is organically managed; covenants or conservation easements require that farming, gardening, and landscaping utilize organic methods
• Approximately three-quarters of the site required to be forested
• Vegetable, grain and fruit production planned; animal husbandry restrictions
• Protections established for flora, fauna, air, water, soil, quiet enjoyment, and stellar visibility
• Building materials encouraged to meet health, energy, durability, environmental impact criteria
Transportation and infrastructure
• Public transit, ride sharing, telecommuting, and on-site business activity
• Parking on periphery of clusters to ensure pedestrian-friendly community
• Paths that respect nesting sites, forested land, wetlands and other wildlife habitats and migratory corridors
• Low-water-use fixtures; advanced, environmentally-friendly septic systems
• User-friendly recycling and composting systems
• High speed internet access
• House and landscape designs that minimize reliance on active heating and cooling systems
Quality of life and economics
• Commitment to sustainable economics -- localized business activity, shared appliances and machinery, childcare, shared meals and activities
• Living patterns facilitate collaboration while ensuring privacy
• Multiple valued roles designed to include individuals of all ages and varied abilities in community life
• Decision-making by consent or by raising timely, reasoned objections
• Activities with Taylorstown community
A new design for living
• Environmental principles and social ecology to promote sustainability in a synergistic manner
• Community systems that make adherence to the ecological and social objectives easy -- from composting to land maintenance
• Life cycle awareness as it applies to purchasing decisions
• Long-term commitment to sustainability values through covenants and environmental and architectural guidelines
• Recognition that any dynamic system has problems; commitment to creating conditions for favorable resolutions
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