Designing a Village, Together

The BV&F retreat was about connection, and it was about making significant progress on decisions that will define daily life at Burns Village & Farm. Armed with markers, sticky dots, and a shared commitment to intentional living, the founding members worked through a wide-ranging list of topics, many of which had surfaced in prior meetings. These aren't hypothetical questions; they are questions about the agreements, plans, and design choices that will shape the community.

Here’s a snapshot of what was discussed:

Unit Mix + Unit Sizes: How to balance different needs and lifestyles through a variety of home sizes and layouts throughout Burns Village & Farm.
Covered Parking + EV Charging: Future-proofing the village by integrating electric vehicle charging and discussing the value of covered spots to protect cars.
Building Standards + a 3rd-Party Verifier: Ensuring consistent quality and accountability through clearly defined construction standards and possibly an independent verifier to guide us along the way.
Site Prep Plan: Coordinating timelines and responsibilities for grading, infrastructure, and utilities before construction begins.
Outbuildings: Determining the role of sheds and accessory buildings while weighing in on their usefulness and limitations.
Budget Review: Reviewing financials and exploring trade-offs to stay aligned with core priorities while managing costs.
Resale: Establishing guidelines to preserve the integrity and accessibility of the community over time.
Rental Policy + Investor Owners: Discussing owner-occupancy requirements and boundaries for rentals to avoid absentee ownership.
Landscaping Around Units: Clarifying who maintains what, and how landscaping reflects the community’s ecological goals.
Fencing (Common/Shared/Limited Common): Drawing lines between private and communal spaces while maintaining visual cohesion.
Personal Gardens: Supporting individual food or flower gardens without compromising shared land or views.

Lighting: Striking a balance between safety and preserving dark skies for stargazing and natural ambiance.
Dog Park + Pet Policy: Balancing pet-friendly ideals with noise, cleanliness, and shared enjoyment.
Acoustics: Ensuring units and shared spaces provide a sense of quiet and personal space.
Smoking Boundaries: Creating clear zones to maintain clean air and mutual comfort.
Gas Blowers + Electric Appliances: Considering bans on gas-powered tools and promoting quieter, cleaner electric alternatives.
Basements (Indoor vs. Outdoor Access): Evaluating the cost, functionality, and moisture risk of including basements, and how they might be accessed.
Use of Shared Equipment (e.g., lawnmowers: Drafting policies for how members may access and maintain community-owned tools.
Facilitation + Documentation: Affirming the need for structured facilitation and robust note-taking to support transparency, progress, and inclusion.