Frequently Asked Questions (Project)

If you have a question that is not covered, you are more than welcome to ask, by emailing us at info@bartcommunity.org.

Bartimaeus Cohousing Community LLC is the Limited Liability Company that is developing the Meadow Wood Condominium. The LLC will be gradually phased out once the development is completed. However, since the members of the LLC are now residents at Meadow Wood, the name “Bartimaeus Community” will continue to describe the community.

Meadow Wood is the 7-acre site of the Meadow Wood Condominiums.

The Meadow Wood Condominium is the cohousing neighborhood located at the Meadow Wood site. Legally, it is like any other condominium. It will be governed by the Meadow Wood Condominium Association under Articles of Incorporation and a Declaration that has been filed with the State of Washington under state condominium law.

No. All residents own their own units and their percentage of ownership in the land and Common House. Meadow Wood is a condominium and operates under the Washington State Condominium Act.

No. Bartimaeus Cohousing Community LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the developer of the Meadow Wood condominiums. Members of the LLC have contributed equity to the project, and have purchased their own units from the LLC. Since the LLC still has one unsold unit, the LLC continues to seek equity members.

First, if you can, attend an open house or make an appointment to tour the neighborhood. This will give you a chance to get your questions answered. Then you are encouraged to attend one of our business meetings in order to get to know us, and let us get to know you. If you decide you are interested in purchasing a unit, we will meet with you and explain what to do next. You may join the LLC as an Equity Member for only $200.

“Common meals” or meal-sharing is voluntary, being organized by residents, not the community as a whole. It’s much like having dinner at a neighbor’s house. These are informal times for conversation and mutual enjoyment.

Our community is happy to accommodate pets. Pet policies have been approved by the community.

Meadow Wood Homeowners Association is managed like any other condominium, except that the Bylaws require use of the consensus model. Residents meet monthly to make consensus decisions and plan activities. An elected board administers budgetary and logistical details on behalf of the membership. The work of the community is shared by the residents on projects and committees of their choosing.

Each adult member is encouraged to contribute 8 hours per month towards the maintenance of the property and the ongoing activities of the community, within the bounds of each person’s circumstances or physical ability. This may include scheduled work party projects such as landscaping or maintenance, cooking or cleanup for community meals, office work, general cleaning and other tasks.

It is not essential for everyone in the community to like each other. In fact, a variety of personalities adds interest to community life. Residents need only share a goal of making their lives more enjoyable through interacting with their neighbors. Since cohousing offers more opportunities for interaction with neighbors, residents learn to develop their conflict resolution and mediation skills.

Mediation is recommended as a safe process for disputes involving consensus-based community rules, and for disputes involving personal conflict between members. A mediator may be someone in the community, who is trusted and able to actively listen, or a reliable outside party. Mediation is voluntary, and is not a substitute for other valid processes and resources, as outlined in the Bartimaeus conflict transformation process.

We have 25 homes ranging from one to four bedrooms and 800 to 1800 square feet.