Life at Katywil: The Village
Nestled into the hillside will be 17 south-facing houses in two clusters. The lower cluster of 12 three-quarter-acre lots will comprise Phase I along Crosier Lane; Phase II the upper five-lot cluster along Stowe Farm Lane. Between the two clusters is the existing house, a large redwood home built in 1972 with five guest rooms, a large party or meeting space, kitchen, library, and workshop. This building will serve, at least for the time being, as the community house.
The Katywil topography of alluvial terraces provides views that differ remarkably from lot to lot. From some lots, you can see primarily the Catamounts; from others, Stone Mountain; still others, views of woods and of stonewalls. Because of the terracing, very little of other houses can be seen as you face north or south. Neighboring houses can be seen more easily as you face east or west on some lots. Adding a mixture of evergreens and fruit or nut trees will gradually screen the houses' lateral views.
An edible-forest-garden plan has been developed for the community house on Lot 5. Edible-forest landscaping is not merely ornamental, though it is easy to add annuals, and native perennials. As we move into an age when the importance of producing one's own food becomes increasingly paramount, a combination of vegetable gardening and edible-forest gardening can make Katywil over time nearly self-sustaining for nutrition.
Crosier Lane and Stowe Farm Lane and common driveways built to Massachusetts code will link the houses to Stetson Brothers Road. There will be no drive-through link between the upper and lower clusters.