LiveWell also develops other types of housing beyond the cohousing model.  Our latest initiative is called Alder Crossing in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island.  It features 27 single family homes in a “small lot subdivision.”  This project will be highly innovative with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly construction and design.

Click here for a detailed overview of the development including site plans.

Eco-Friendly Features of Alder Crossing:

1. EnerGuide rating of 85 or higher
2. Each home to receive an EnerGuide label (using energy modelling at design stage and blower door test during construction),
3. Low toxicity and low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) adhesives, sealants, carpet pads and paints,
4. High quality energy-efficient doors and windows with thermal insulation ratings meeting or exceeding USI-values of 1.80 (comparable to Zone 6 Northern BC ratings in BC Building Code),
5. Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems in each home,
6. General use of passive heating and cooling,
7. Thermal insulation values will meet or exceed the new BC Building Code for Qualicum Beach (Zone 5) for walls, ceilings and attics,
8. Tighter building envelopes and careful attention to air leakage (target air changes of 2.0 per hour),
9. CFL and LED street lighting, with fixtures consistent with Dark Skies policy,
10. Solar-ready homes,
11. Fly ash in concrete (more durable, requires less cement)
12. Permeable paving for driveways and walkways to increase water absorption, and permeable landscaping (significant xeriscaping),
13. On-site storm water management to ensure existing downstream storm water peak flows are not exceeded, and
14. Extra-thick gypsum board for enhanced thermal mass.

Passive House Demonstration Project

To encourage additional innovation in Alder Crossing we will also provide a $12,500 subsidy to the first home builder/buyer to follow a Passive House design at this project.  We will provide the cash rebate to the home builder/buyer to help offset some of the additional design and construction costs associated with Passive House.  For more information see this link:  www.passivehouse.ca

Car Share

Our plan also includes a subsidy to bring Nanaimo Car Share to Qualicum Beach.  We are proposing to provide Nanaimo CarShare with a $12,500 cash subsidy to help fund the cost of a car to be located near Alder Crossing.  Anyone will have access to this car (by joining Nanaimo CarShare).  We hope this will allow people living in the area to eliminate a car from their household, thus saving money and maintenance on an extra vehicle.  A significant saving these days.

Extensive Wetland Protection

We plan to only develop 27% of this site (5.39 acres of the 20 acre overall site).  Another 5.75 acres of the westerly wetland area will be dedicated to the Town to ensure long-term protection and no development.  Further covenants will be placed on the remaining 6.5 acres, including man-made pond in the centre of the site  to ensure no other development (including the parts of the site with existing homes – that density will be frozen to a maximum of two homes).  Our plan ensures this wonderful site will be protected and developed appropriately.

Wetland Setbacks

We will be using substantial setbacks from sensitive wetlands on the site.  New homes will always be at least 100m from the sensitive wetland habitat known as SEI N0409 on the site.

Other Features of the Project 

• Development will be limited to 27 lot cluster of homes in northeast corner of site, including eleven (11) lots with potential for detached carriage homes.
• Carriage homes allow enhanced affordability in the community.
• Westerly wetland (5.75 acres) gifted to Town to ensure long-term protection.
• Development always at least 100m from sensitive wetland area known as SEI N0409.
• Significant commitment to eco-friendly design guidelines for home development – one of the most eco-friendly projects in mid-Island.
• Protection of all on-site sensitive green space and riparian areas in compliance with riparian studies.
• Ensures no future development of the site – particularly no expansion of existing homes on site and ensures ongoing protection of wetland.