home ownership
All land is owned by the Coop, including the footprint of the buildings.
There are seven existing homes owned individually by members, which occasionally become available for resale to the new members, or rental to prospective members. A new home is under construction.
Homes may only be owned by members. This means they can only be sold to other members, and so cannot be sold on the general resale market. Most new homes have been financed through private personal assets. Coop financing is not available, nor are conventional mortgages. However, North Country Economic Development provides mortgages, and is currently financing the house of one of our members.
There are no restrictions on the kinds of homes that can be built, though they must be in sites pre-approved by the Coop. See the Build Your Own section below for details. We are very close to the limit for additional building sites.
Up to one acre of yard space is allowed around each home, in which members are mostly free to do what they want subject to a few environmental & safety restrictions.
There are seven existing homes owned individually by members, which occasionally become available for resale to the new members, or rental to prospective members. A new home is under construction.
Homes may only be owned by members. This means they can only be sold to other members, and so cannot be sold on the general resale market. Most new homes have been financed through private personal assets. Coop financing is not available, nor are conventional mortgages. However, North Country Economic Development provides mortgages, and is currently financing the house of one of our members.
There are no restrictions on the kinds of homes that can be built, though they must be in sites pre-approved by the Coop. See the Build Your Own section below for details. We are very close to the limit for additional building sites.
Up to one acre of yard space is allowed around each home, in which members are mostly free to do what they want subject to a few environmental & safety restrictions.
Building Your Own Home at Zephyr
We live in separate homes. We do not want urban densities, but we do cluster homes to promote social interaction to the extent the topography of the valley allows, avoiding the visual dominance of ridge-top dwellings and the isolation of secluded areas. Sites must be pre-approved by the Coop.
Zephyr places no restrictions on the type or appearance of new homes, but we do limit the size of the initial construction to 2000 sq. ft. Extensions are possible, subject to County zoning restrictions, providing the first phase of construction has been completed and is occupied. Also, the coop limits the length of construction to 3 years, although permission may be granted for extensions. For more information, see the Coop's Home Construction Policy.
Construction of additional homes is subject to the Winona County Zoning Ordinance which places restrictions on where homes may be built, based on the gradient of the land, use of tillable agricultural land, and other factors. Winona County requires a permit for new home construction, including location and design of the septic system, and requires an electrical inspection.
Zephyr places no restrictions on the type or appearance of new homes, but we do limit the size of the initial construction to 2000 sq. ft. Extensions are possible, subject to County zoning restrictions, providing the first phase of construction has been completed and is occupied. Also, the coop limits the length of construction to 3 years, although permission may be granted for extensions. For more information, see the Coop's Home Construction Policy.
Construction of additional homes is subject to the Winona County Zoning Ordinance which places restrictions on where homes may be built, based on the gradient of the land, use of tillable agricultural land, and other factors. Winona County requires a permit for new home construction, including location and design of the septic system, and requires an electrical inspection.
