On October 23rd, Madera County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve Standing Stone Village's Tentative Subdivision Map, General Plan change and Rezoning application to create a cohousing style subdivision on Craig and Jeannine Rublee's property in North Fork. A number of old students attended the hearing and several spoke in favor of the project. The board of supervisors clearly recognized the need for this type of housing in North Fork, that is geared to seniors and supports the residents collaborating to cut their living costs by sharing resources and by providing support for one another. We are grateful to the tons of support we received from the North Fork Community and from the Madera County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

This approval is a critical step in fulfilling the vision of creating a housing development that will provide the opportunity for old students to live near the California Vipassana Center, to mutually benefit their own practice and to benefit the Center through their Dhamma Service. 

The subdivision is being called Standing Stone Village, after an upright stone along the entry driveway. The subdivision is 1 mile south of the Center, along Road 225.

The subdivision will include 27 lots. As shown in the map below, the lots are clustered within a 5 acre portion (see the LOT DETAIL) of a 34 acre parcel (OUTLOT A) with the driveways and parking on the periphery. The lots are connected by walkways and green space. The lot layout will create 4 clusters of houses, where the front of the houses will face each other and share a common walkway. The goal is to create a vibrant community where neighbors know each other well, share resources and help each other out when needed.

One of the lots will be reserved for a small group home with shared facilities.

There are attractive views of the surrounding mountains from most of the building lots. The building lots are surrounded by oak trees and meadows, providing ample space for a community garden, orchard, walking paths and trails.

The next phase of the project is to spread the word among old students and to construct the infrastructure. A civil engineer has prepared the plans for the internal roads, water system, utility plan, drainage and grading. The county requires the construction of this infrastructure prior to giving their final approval of the subdivision. We are now seeking founding members and future residents to help fund the infrastructure work.