Planting the Seeds for an Urban CoHousing MicroVillage in Winston Salem

Welcome Home.
How shall we live? How shall we make community?

We are co-creating the Village at Wexford and Olamina Commons, an urban eco-village where abundance, decision-making and responsibilities are shared.

This project embraces the power of collaboration, equitable living and community practices grounded in a new way of listening with care to one another.

Designing and Planning

This plan shows a model for subdividing the 7.4 acre property that currently has 1 house into 5 separate plots for housing and shared land.

1 lot will be a "cottage court" with 7 homes of mixed size

2 residential lots will be co-living homes+ADUs, mainly for single folks, where each person has their own space and the house shares common spaces.

The existing home will be expanded a little and used as a shared resource.

We will all share over 3 acres of field and forest to cultivate into growing food, rewilding, being good neighbors with the species that belong here.

Vision

We are planting seeds for an intergenerational residential microvillage in Winston Salem!

Picture a diverse mix of owners, renters and rent to owners. We will each have our own private small house or private suite in a shared home, and cooperate on additional resources. Grounded in a commitment to exceptional communication and mutual aid, we can co-create a way of being at home, work and play that is connected and sustainable.

Timeline

February 2025 Property acquired, Existing Conditions and Cul de Sac subdivision concepts drawings completed by Allied Land Survey and Design

Throughout 2025 Weekly or biweekly "Village Dreamer" calls to dream together, learn things, provide feedback on designs

February-May 2025 House improvements to existing single family farmhouse; first residents move into sin

March 2025 Sketch Plan Meeting with City to get feedback on subdivision plan

Spring-Summer 2025 Landmates begin field work, planting, solar installation to irrigate from the creek

July 2025 Design Kick Off Meeting, Formal Survey completed

September 2025 First conceptual drawings provided based on zone review completed by Root Down Design & Communitecture

Fall 2025 Iterative design based on conceptual drawings, dreamer input

Fall 2025 Monday Radical Book Cub begins

October 2025 Application for grant to create fiber/dyes garden, First formal Dreamers Fire Gathering Event

November 2025 Sketch Plan Meeting with City to get feedback on new masterplan - advice is to generate a subdivision application that includes a comprehensive residential infrastructure plan. This will likely take civil engineers 2-4 months to complete

November 2025 First formal Friends Gathering event

COMING SOON

Winter 2025-2026 Turn focus to community building, garden design, financial model planning while the civil engineering is ddone.

PERMITTING

Based on sketch plan meeting feedback, revise plans, draw up formal civil engineering and permit applications.

Depending on need for special variances, approval of plans will take 2 - 5 MONTHS.

2026 and beyond

Triage which projects to start first, break ground and get building!

Plant food forest

Clear land

Continue community building

What is a Sketch Plan Meeting?

At any stage, City Planners will allow a sketch plan meeting to provide feedback on the designs. We use this to refine and prepare to formal permit applications with the city. It is a free service supported by the planning department to reduce delays in permitting process.

Design Team

Mark Lakeman, founder of Communitecture Architecture and the City Repair Project
Vale Larson-Brasted, Architect Communitecture
April Magill, Executive Director Root Down Building Collective
Rayellen Kishbach, Instigator Olamina Homes (Working title)

Land

The property is 7.46 acres in Winston Salem off Jonestown road. It has fields, forest, a farmhouse and 2 other buildings. It is in a suburban area of the city that is being taken over and developed with high density single family homes. It is at the end of a road, abutting some flood land that will likely stay un-developed, a set of agricultural lots, and urban multifamily developments.
The plan is to develop housing and parking near the road, build a common house and short term stay buildings in the back, and leave a remaining 3(ish) acres open to gardens and other shared amenities.

Seed Team

Founding Investor (& current resident): Rayellen Kishbach, Winston Salem - I have been inspired by, learning and practicing community skills for a long time, including living in cohousing, creating community gathering places, and participating in and facilitiating circles and retreats. The initial spark for Olamina Commons is mine, and I'm looking forward to sharing the process.

Realtor: Donna Claytor, Coldwell Banker - I'm a single mom with a passion for life and a genuine love for helping people. Whether it was the children I inspired as a coach and physical education teacher or the lives I impact today as a leading real estate professional. I enjoy traveling, reading and following my daughter as she plays collegiate basketball. My dream is to make every moment count for you during your real estate experience. When you work with me toward the sale or purchase of your home, you can count on me to be there for you every step of the way with sound guidance and personal support.

Community Care: Chloe Buzzotta - Whole Systems Network - Ecovillage Consultant and Strategist

Village Historian: Kay Endress

Resident Carpenter (seasonal): Ray Kishbach

Dinosaur Village Mom: Becka Stone

Landmates aka "The Youngers": Taylor Marshall, Mason Stevens, Riley Oaks, Taeya Boi-Doku

Many other Dreamers!

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