“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” —Edmund Burke

I’m “For Bowen.” (But Not Your Bowen.)

Posted: April 8th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Agriculture, Green Building, Housing, top, Transformational Change, Zero Waste | Tags: | 8 Comments »

at Cape Roger Curtis
A petition is presently circulating through my community; it opposes a proposed development on the grounds that it is “far too big for our island.” The Cape Roger Curtis Neighborhood Plan has its shortcomings, sure, but also its strengths—including space set aside for a seniors care facility, affordable housing, community food gardens and composting, an outdoor amphitheater, bike paths, $7 million dollars worth of amenities, and hundreds of acres of protected parkland. More than 75 percent of the development is within a five minute walk of its center crossroads, where a bus stop, general store, or car co-op lot could potentially be located.

The plan embodies a number of smart-growth principles, and in my mind it is a better choice than the alternative—no parkland, just a sprawling subdivision of 58 10-acre lots, each likely crowned with a single McMansion. Though the opponents of the plan insist that the land owners do not have the legal authority to build out that sprawl nightmare, the truth is, they do. And they might end up doing just that if the community says thumbs-down to the proposal currently on the table.

Those behind the “no” petition are running a well-organized campaign that includes phone tree work. So far more than 650 people have endorsed the document; in doing so they affirm that they are “For Bowen.” That doesn’t sit right with me, so I wrote this letter to the local paper this week.

If you call me on the phone and ask me if I am “for Bowen,” here’s what I’ll tell you.

  • I am for a Bowen where grandparents aren’t forced to leave when we can no longer provide them with care.
  • I am for a Bowen where young families can afford to live and give their kids all the rich experiences mine are presently enjoying.
  • I am for a Bowen that admits that saying “no” to everything is not an effective growth management strategy, and will in fact result in more of the ugly unplanned patchwork of McMansion sprawl that is currently marching across our landscape, and that we have somehow convinced ourselves represents treasured rural ambience.
  • I am for a pedestrian-friendly Bowen, where riding a bicycle is no longer a death-defying act.
  • I am for a Bowen where I don’t have to get behind the wheel every time I want to join friends for games night, grab a coffee, hit a garage sale, pick up a jug of milk, or attend a concert.
  • I am for a Bowen that preserves its green leafy heart by focusing growth in clustered settlements where residents can chat with neighbors when they want to, avoid them when they don’t.
  • I am for a Bowen where neighbors can potentially together generate clean energy to use in their homes and vehicles.
  • I am for a Bowen that protects its forests, lakes, streams, and wildlife, grows an ever-increasing proportion of its own food, and produces its own soil.
  • I am for a Bowen where change is not a threat but an opportunity.
  • I am for a Bowen that is all of these things and that is also resilient, vibrant, eclectic, and authentic.
  • I am for the Cape Roger Curtis Neighborhood Plan.

    • 8 Comments on “I’m “For Bowen.” (But Not Your Bowen.)”

    1. 1 Murray Atherton said at 1:22 pm on April 8th, 2009:

      Awesome letter and article, James. I too, am for Bowen….YOUR WAY!

    2. 2 Roger McGillivray said at 1:23 pm on April 8th, 2009:

      Great letter James, sure sounds like cohousing.

    3. 3 John Dumbrille said at 1:28 pm on April 8th, 2009:

      Hey James – inviting you to bring your passion and committment to http://www.bowegover.ning.com
      John

    4. 4 Sara Baker said at 5:50 pm on April 8th, 2009:

      You said it all James! A vote for this kind of Bowen is a also a vote for a better planet!

    5. 5 Sharon Sluggett said at 6:40 pm on April 8th, 2009:

      James, Awesome and thanks for putting into words all my thoughts and hopes for Bowen’s future. You understand that to be a whole community we need to provide housing and services for all our residents while preserving all the reasons we love it here. Could the CRC project be the one that actually moves us together towards a common goal?

    6. 6 Peter Rawsthorne said at 10:56 am on April 9th, 2009:

      James, excellent post. Though I am challenged to see how any of your “for Bowen” points are dependent upon the CRC NP. It would be helpful for me to see how these “for Bowen” points are exclusive to the current CRC NP. As an example, we are creating space in our home (well actually on our property) for our grandparents. I believe this is a healthier and more traditional approach. I could address each of your “for Bowen” points in similar ways. All this said, I really value your ideas and would also like to welcome you to the http://www.bowegover.ning.com site. A place where the community can have an asynchronous discussion around these important issues.

    7. 7 Don MacLean said at 3:19 pm on April 9th, 2009:

      As Peter so clearly points out, Jame’s idealistic community doesn’t need to depend on anything architectural to be realized. Nor does it need to be Roger’s ‘co housing’ proposal. (as wonderful as it looks) That is not to say that both co housing and the NP would, or at least, ‘could’ accommodate this ideal.

      Jame’s and Roger’s dream communities often come out of a frustration with, or possibly a complete disagreement with, the status quo. Fair enough!

      What suffers enormously when these new ‘isolated’ communities within communities are built is the rest of the established community and the ‘new town’s’ relationship with it. If one provides absolutely everything a family could ask for, and it seems that that is what James would like to see, then there is no incentive or obligation for these cloistered folks to interact with the ‘others’ outside of dreamland.

      Obviously, and I’m sure it is quite apparent to the visionaries, what is needed is a balance of having everything provided at your doorstep and having it all spread out. A good example is when you see the very very wealthy come to town (Snug Cove) from (for example) Hood Point. Of course I’m generalizing unashamedly but there is an aspect of what I am saying that is quite accurate.
      They are a little ‘out of it’, possibly by choice, but, nevertheless, slightly ‘removed’.

      If ever there was a community where everything could be right for most of the population it is Bowen. Of course it is always easier to begin at the beginning with a pre-determined communal philosophy and tight controls on each and every board. Personally, I think it is a bit dangerous to expect too much from a mere idea. The most fulfilling life often comes a bit at a time and spontaneously as possible and organically. The best laid plans etc etc.

    8. 8 Cape Roger Curtis | Madsu said at 7:38 pm on May 22nd, 2011:

      [...] more about that on James Glave’s web site, here’s the land owner’s web site, and here’s the Cape Roger Curtis trust [...]

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