By STEVE FREKER
MALDEN — A new style of living, “cohousing,” established successfully in other parts of the state and the nation could be coming to Malden.
The Cohousing Association of the United States (CAUS), which assists groups such as Bay State Commons in their initiatives and development plans, describes cohousing as a “community of private homes clustered around shared space.’’
It may replace a local icon on Pleasant Street, the longstanding Malden Post 69 American Legion home, although a Malden construction moratorium imposed by local officials will keep the project locked in the planning stages until at least early 2018.
Cohousing allows “households to have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces,’’ according to CAUS.
The organization estimates there are more than 160 cohousing communities spread across the United States, including 13 in Massachusetts, with four more in different stages of development in Greater Boston, including the Malden project.
A cohousing group called Bay State Commons has been planning the Malden project for several years, since its formation and founding by Peter Goldstein and others in 2013. Much of the activity to date has been forming a group of “households,” called associates, and identifying a site in which to establish a cohousing living initiative.
“Five years ago, I was thinking pretty hard about what it was about college that I missed,’’ Goldstein said in a recent interview. “I missed the opportunity to go to public spaces, whether the dining hall or the library or the lounge in the dorm and run into people and have positive meaningful interactions there.
“I had lived in apartments and enjoyed that, but I didn’t really know my neighbors.” Goldstein added that he researched the elements of cohousing and realized it was what he was looking for as an alternative, kickstarting the now four-year-old planning process of Bay State Commons.
Bay State Commons held an informational meeting with Malden residents and abutters of the American Legion Home, 368 Pleasant St. on site Monday where plans were discussed to build a cohousing community living residence there which would include 26-30 owner-occupied condominium units.
At this time, it was explained at the meeting, there are 16 households committed to the project and that Bay State Commons holds an option-to-purchase agreement on the Legion property, pending city approval in the permitting stage.
At the informational meeting, Bay State Commons presented plans on their intentions, including designs of the planned condominium complex and the particulars of this new style of living planned for Malden.
Cohousing advocates say the housing option’s attractions include frequent and planned interaction between residents of the cohousing establishment, including a number of shared, family-style meals, a common room with televisions and other entertainment and other shared spaces.
Living quarters for the units are somewhat smaller than market space, but self-sufficient with the regular living amenities such as bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen space.
Bay State Commons would not be able to seek and secure the necessary permits and approvals needed at the municipal level until at least early 2018 because of the existing moratorium on new residential constructions in Malden, which was initially put into effect by voter referendum January 1, 2016.
Using that timetable, Bay State Commons officials said they hoped to build in 2018 and move in their households by early 2019.