Monday Morning Community – Kincardine
A little late this week, however this week’s community highlight is the Town of Kincardine, on the shores of Lake Huron in Bruce County, Ontario. We have been talking to the town and they have provided details on a 1.34-acre parcel that we have proposed putting 18-homes on, plus community center, storage lockers, gardens, a gazebo, firepit, centralized parking, and lots of green space for the citizens to enjoy. The community center will provide a community kitchen with dining area where citizens can share a meal, a lounge to gather with neighbours, co-working space, small business space, and a coffee shop.
Claudia Espindola
How can we get more information about owning a tiny property there please?
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Claudia.
The best way to keep updated, is subscribing to our newsletter. When we post updates on each community progress, subscribers will get an email with the details.
Once a development is confirmed, we will release details on the housing in each.
Pat Joannie
Sounds interesting. I need to know how this works as it’s something I thought of considering a tiny home. I have a lot of questions to ask as i dont know if it’s for me.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Pat.
We understand that this is a big change in the way we live, for many people. We will post more information on our communities as each nears development, and hopefully this will answer some of the questions you have. We don’t have any plans for a “try tiny living” at this time, but if someone joins a community and feels it isn’t for them, we are confident we’ll have other people waiting for space, so you wouldn’t be locked in. I hope this helps.
Sharon
How does one get more information about buying into this tiny house community?
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Sharon.
The best way to keep updated, is subscribing to our newsletter. When we post updates on each community progress, subscribers will get an email with the details. Once development is confirmed, we will release details on purchasing a home.
Joanne Chernoski
Great location! Hoping to see a community in the Niagara region.
I much prefer parking at each home.
Keep up the good work.
Founder
We agree Joanne! We have spoken with various locations in the Niagara region, and there is cautious interest. I think once we have 1 or 2 locations built where decision makers can see our vision “in real life”, we will gain some traction to build. Our vision is to build these communities across Ontario, then all of Canada, and we just can’t wait to get started!
Alison
Looks terrific! And the community gathering space is so important.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Alison. We agree!
Community is very important, and something that has been somewhat lost today. When you live in a tiny home, the outside and the community center is the biggest room in your house, so we want them to be places where you enjoy connecting with neighbours.
Kathleen Grey
A fantastic idea. I am interested.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Kathleen. We think so too!
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Debbie Cleland
How much is one of these homes?
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Debbie.
Our target price for a home, on a serviced lot, in any community, including furniture and appliances is $150k. The price would be less if you have your own furniture and/or appliances.
We also plan to offer rental, and will have a rent-to-own program to help people that can’t afford to buy at this time.
Marcel isaac
I’d be very interested in keeping updated on the progress of his development.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Marcel.
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Jeff Lucas
Fantastic! Would like to hear more.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Jeff.
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Josh
This should 100% be approved, the only issue with me is, why not more ?
Founder
Us too Josh! Keep watching as we release details on other locations we are talking with.
We are encouraged by the interest we are getting from municipalities, cities and towns, mostly rural that have or can acquire land for affordable housing. We feel that once our showcase communities are build, and people can see our vision “in real life”, many of the places that are unsure will want us to build communities for them as well. Subscribe and follow!
ELIZABETH Chamney
More information please
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Elizabeth.
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Curran Greer Angela
This is wonderful
Founder
We think so too!
If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletter, it is the best way to follow our progress.
Kathleen Dozois
More info please.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Kathleen.
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Grayling Stevens
Love this idea. Any info would be appreciated.
Founder
Thanks for reaching out Grayling.
The best way to keep informed is by subscribing to our newsletter. As more information becomes available, we will post it here and subscribers will get an email notice of the posting.
Steve
I fully endorse all “Tiny Town” endeavours. We are desperate for alternate solutions in these crazy housing times. But I have real issues with this proposal.
My partner and I were part of a private community from 2013-2022. It was nothing but a simple trailer park. Lots were about 40′-50′ wide (on average) and about 50′ deep arranged on three short “streets”. There were 50 sites, supporting about 100 people. Campers made up the additional population.
There was a true “community” built there. Everyone knew everyone, and it was extremely friendly.
What worked was the fact that it wasn’t suburban in nature (unlike this example). The narrow widths of the lots enabled one to move along the street and experience a new neighbour every several seconds while walking.
This might not sound like a big deal, but it actually is. This is what historically made traditional street retail shopping so successful. Most stores were only about 40′ wide. It’s what makes “walkable neighbourhoods” walkable. It also applies to the residential components. 40′ is about maximum lot width before one starts to get into the “suburban” territory.
We are creatures that crave variety and interest. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we crave urbanity… we are highly social beings. But the built environment must support it.
It’s impossible to determine the width of the lots here, but regardless, it emulates the classic suburban model. “Lots of green space” is a dead give-away. But it also suggests another ideology about cars… that vehicles are “bad” and must be separated from the living unit.
As someone who studied urban design my entire life, gratuitous green space – that spreads everywhere with things plopped in the middle of it – has little purpose. This is essentially the failed suburban model from the past 70 years. It’s a complete waste of space, is brutally inefficient, and has proven to be a total social failure. (Countless books have been written on this topic.)
What people find real value in, is well-defined “green spaces” particularly when there’s a dense urban fabric that clearly defines it… i.e. well-defined parks or parkettes. This is when quality over quantity is required. But it absolutely needs physical support and can’t simply be be notional – i.e. wishful thinking.
In our climate, having parking at one’s doorstep is essential in winter. Schlepping groceries, boxes, furniture etc. 300′ or more in a snowstorm or freezing rain is absurd. Having a single vehicle park on one’s lot is a necessity and is absolutely not going to destroy the character of the neighbourhood, if handled correctly.
I could easily revise this plan to double the density (if the town allows) and make it ultra convenient for the inhabitants, and still be able to provide some great communal space for everyone to enjoy with all the amenities listed.
If anyone wants to reach out to me and allow me to give it a shot, I am offering my assistance.
Founder
Steve, thank you for your thoughtful review. I fully understand every point you have made, I believe our other communities more closely align with your experienced observations. We have not intended that the common green space will be left undesigned or unattended, we had just not evolved the plan at this stage to include that detail.
I would welcome your redesign of the community. The Association looks to incorporate all the perspectives we can, to create tiny home neighbourhoods that provide affordable living communities. Let me know if you need any community specific details for your design.
MAYOR AL Smith
When do think you will have this done?
From Mayor AL 12 Neighbours community
Founder
Hi Al, thanks for reaching out.
We are just working on our funding sources, and tweaking the community design model. In the ideal scenario, we would look to present our complete package to council this fall, then if approved and the appropriate zoning can be in place, we would look to break ground in the spring, with occupancy planned for late summer/early fall 2024.