Patrician Option

Concept

Historically, in cultures influenced by the Christian tradition, the church was at the center of town. As the most important institution in peoples lives the centrality within the town served physical and symbolic ends. The second order effects of the church placement aided in more central social governance, induced economic activity, served as a gathering place for community festivals, and provided a place of refuge during instability.

Crafted and coined by my friend Eric Whittaker, The “Patrician Option” takes its inspiration from monastic settlements that were founded by Saint Patrick in the 400’s in Ireland. While the concept is inspired by historical Catholic towns, the spirit and benefits of this concept can serve both the religious communities surrounding our neighborhood but also every resident regardless of spiritual (non-)affiliation.

Despite what the name implies, homes adjacent to any community oriented facility (library, park, YMCA, fraternal order, cultural organization, community center, etc.) should be be considered for this implementation.

Formulation

Similar to the Bayou Bodega project, homes that are adjacent to these institutions surrounding our neighborhood can be rezoned for mixed use and ADU (accessory dwelling unit) zoning.

Through partnerships with the cooperating institutions (see Parking “link”), parking for these rezoned properties will be provided by their existing parking lots; additionally, in an effort to reduce through traffic in the neighborhood, parking and access to the Mason Creek bayou trail and bodegas is expected to be provided by their parking lots.

Opportunities

Opportunities such as dining (donuts and coffee), housing outreach, religious bookstores, tutoring, music lessons, and daycare could expand bodega offerings and integrate the religiously-affiliated and unaffiliated members in the community.

Ministries and resources that are provided by the organization can be extended through the bodega to the community in ways unlikely to occur in a non-bodega setting. Ideally, this extends the reach of these ministries but also lowers the barrier for entry for the community members interested in participating in these groups but are unaffiliated otherwise.

In my estimation the following homes could qualify for the “Patrician Option” in their respective neighborhoods:

• Epiphany Catholic Community (Nottingham Country): 7 homes
• Church of Latter Day Saints – Norwalk (Nottingham Country): 15 homes
• St. Peters United Methodist Church (Nottingham Country): 7 homes
• Kingsland Baptist Church (Nottingham Country): 13 homes
• Masjid Al-Rahman Mosque (Green Trails): 25 homes
• Second Baptist Church (Green Trails): 34 homes
• Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Memorial Parkway): 3 homes