...and Delay and Rethink

If September was about trying to get through committees and meetings that were constantly being delayed, then our current state is continuing with the delays and rethinking our schedule and plans. Yes, last winter the timeline was plan through the spring, committees in the summer, break ground in September, live in a winter rental and move in the next spring. And do it all within, or not too far from our budget.

Well, clearly we're off that schedule, and apparently it looks like our budget is rising farther and farther above us (How can original estimates from people in the biz be SO far off?)

This is very discouraging. We consider ourselves two hardworking professionals. We've saved; we've worked toward this; we're not trying to do anything extravagant. There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to build a small box in the town we work in with a mortgage we can afford through the years. We thought this was going to be an exciting example of common sense building on the Cape.

Apparently the excitement has worn off for others, and rather than seeing our project as a unique opportunity to join the rest of the world in common sense housing, we're probably just seen as small. It's bewildering to realize that we're pretty "second fiddle". That our schedules, time, and ideas are not important enough for the full attention of those working with us.

Yes, we're getting frustrated, and a little angry, but no- we're not giving up. This is part of the challenge of our affordable, sustainable, happy little safe dream.

We just have to rethink how we go at this.

-J

The Long and the Short of It: Town Committees

We're through the committees, and despite all the delays, I guess it wasn't as painful as we had thought. I think the most difficult part was watching the timeline shrink in front of us. We didn't get to these boards until September, as opposed to original plan of the summer. Then both Conservation and Zoning gave us dates, only to come back later to tell us they had to move them back because they hadn't been advertised properly. To echo our representative, Tom, "How can that happen twice to one applicant?" And to echo the #1 lesson Natalie taught us while she was in the NICU: "It is what it is."

First up was the Conservation Commission. We left Natalie with Grandma and Grandpa May and apprehensively, yet excitedly, marched down to Town Hall. I felt that we got a lot of positive comments about the gem of a neighborhood we are in, the value of our project, and the creativity involved in designing for the narrow, slanty space while showing regard to the conservation issues. We were almost through peacefully until an old dry well in the back became something for the committee to ponder. And ponder they did, until they decided that it wouldn't do and we needed to add a new interloper to our plans instead. Bottomline- draw that in and come back in two weeks.

Two weeks later... Anthony was out on a cruise, and wasn't expected to be back until after the 7:00 meeting was underway, so I went on my own- leaving Natalie to keep Grandma Kirincich company while she made meatloaf. Once there I realized that being on the third page of the agenda meant that it might be a while, so I walked home with plans to watch the meeting progress on FCTV and go back when it got closer to us. Turning on the TV I started to sweat as I watched them skip agenda item after agenda item because representatives were not there. Somehow it was now only a few items away from us! I hurried back only to wait, wait wait...waiting long enough for Anthony to arrive back, and then waiting even longer... When Tom mentioned that the case right in front of us would probably be contentious and take a while I decided to go home and enjoy my meatloaf while it was still hot. Anthony stayed behind. We thought about bringing him a nice hot plate to the meeting, after all, the committee members were passing around a container of tomatoes amongst themselves for snacking.

At home Jeanie and I watched as the time ticked by. Finally, about 3 and a half hours after the start of the meeting it was our turn. The admin. called our case and then recommended that it be tabled because the representative was not present. I started shouting at the screen that Anthony was there and then they realized that Tom was indeed there. They reviewed that he was supposed to draw the new piece.

Committee: "And did he?"

Admin.: "Yes, he did."

Tom: "Can I go home now?"

So there it was- our one minute exchange, which was only drawn out slightly so that the secretary could record the happenings.

Next up was Zoning. The three of us all went together to this one, but Natalie and I stayed outside the room until our case was up. This board seemed to run smoothly. Once again Tom did a nice job explaining our case and our efforts to be less non-conforming. Again we heard positive comments, both about the location and the design efforts. They reviewed that three of our neigbors had written letters of support for the project. An additional abutter stood up and voiced her support, and we found out after that another abutter was at the meeting as well. The only stipulation was that the office in the basement remain an office and not be turned into another bedroom. Fine with us!

ZBA voted their approval the night of the meeting, and Conservation voted their approval the following week. Barring any appeals, we were through!

-J