4th Submittal and Fingers Crossed...!

We have now submitted to the county for the 4th time.... whew, long process for an unconventional build.  At this point architectural and engineer plans have been ok'd (which is the biggest hurdle) and now their main concern is the interior strength/decay of the tree's.  As mentioned in our previous post "Will Our Tree's Pass the Test" Our tree's are uber healthy with no interior decay, approximatly 300 years old and fire resistant...Go tree's! Now we wait to get the OK from the county with the documents we presented showing the tests done on our tree's....  Fingers are crossed that we hear back  soon and with good news soon....and when we do, we'll be in the building stage at full speed!

Will Our Tree's Pass the Test?

Tree Testing Equipment

After many, many corrections on Lovers Treehouse, our last set of corrections showed that architectural and engineer plans had been approved!! (Biggest hurdle) and the last step before acquiring the building permit would be to show no interior decay of our tree's...

Scott Baker from Tree Solutions  fly's in from Seattle, Washington (another one of those intelligent guys from the treehouse world - the world is smaller than you'd think)  We head out to Lovers Treehouse site and the time has come to see what the interior strength of our tree's are like....

It was a bit nerve-wracking and quite the trip (hopping over fences at 7 mths pregnant; luckily I had my husband to help me over - not quite sure I could have done it without him)  And I can't say I looked too graceful doing it...  The testing began and after a couple of hours and loads of equipment, we found out our tree's are about 300 years old, the species of tree is fire resistant (these tree's just keep getting better) and that there's no interior decay!!

We'll be moving forward with these tree results and hoping to receive that building permit sooner than later ;)  Stay tuned for the building to begin!!  

Getting nerdy for trees

So much growth with the recent rains

"Most Cutting Edge Treehouse"

Received word from our 3rd Plan Submital and although we still have 3 corrections to go (started with over 30 corrections) the Architectural and Engineer plans have been approved! 

I knew I was getting into a big project when I started the Lovers Treehouse project but it wasn't until the other day that my architect (the architect for Treehouse Masters and The Treehouse Guys) said 

         - "Your project is as cutting edge as any that have been done"

So what does it mean when I say the architectural and engineer plans have been approved, it means we'll have the advantage of the following elements:

1. Having trees live throughout the house without having window's or doors covering them!  This means, you'll be able to live in the home, while living with the tree (touchable)

2. Able to have a structure completely supported by a tree without any ground supports! 

3. Able to build a smaller sqft home by adding a bridge to calculate the sqft and keep true to the treehouse feel

4. Our years of work have pushed the county to create a treehouse building system.  This means building tree houses in the county of San Bernardino will be much easier from this point forward.  Moving the Treehouse Movement forward ;)



We still have 3 corrections, one of them being that the tree's be tested by an instrument and technology called Picus Sonic Tomography.  This test is a non-invasive one that uses sound to detect interior tree decay.  

So we're not quite in the clear, until we can prove that the inside of our tree's are in fact healthy...  

We've made big strides up to this point, and the Picus Sonic test will be a biggy for us (fingers crossed)

Minor Variance Approved!

Moving Forward

Constantly inching our way towards the build and for the 1st time in while it feels that we are making bigger strides than normal ;)

Update #1
We had proposed a minor variance for the width of the treehouse - the code was requiring to make the structure much larger and wider, thus taking away from the authenticity of a treehouse.  After some time, we received confirmation that the minor variance was accepted

Update #2
Waiting to hear back on the 3rd Submittal that we turned into the county.  Best news we've heard back yet - the biggest hurdle which is the architectural and engineer approval, is a go!  The county now just has to see how to set up a system for the future health of a treehouse (seeing as there isn't a treehouse in that county and we're paving the way)  Whoever wants to build a treehouse next in this jurisdiction, will have it MUCH easier - your welcome ;)  The other correction is that our parking is in the road right of way, and so we're pulling the permit on that ;)  And the last thing the county would like to see is a sonogram on the tree that will contain the meditation pod (the structure in the tree, without any ground supports)  Time to put in a call to Scott Baker in WA, and see what we can get together..... SO CLOSE!

Closer & Closer to the Build....

With our 3rd Submittal last week, we are now waiting to hear (and crossing our fingers) that this will be the last round of corrections.  In case your just starting to follow, let me give you the quick version of building in San Bernardino County.

1. Buy the land

2. Submit plans and all needed documents (in our case apply for a major variance - since our property is so unconventional)

3. Wait to hear back and if there are corrections, correct and resend (over 25 corrections on our project...)

4. Wait to hear back and if there are corrections, correct and resend (we cut out a few and had 12 corrections to go;) Aaaaand, in our case apply for an additional minor variance (since we're unconventional)

Real time: we are in the waiting stage after the 3rd submittal and crossing our fingers that this is the last set of corrections.  If so, we'll receive our permit and we'll hit the ground running!  Venture Yours is tying up all the loose ends to get this CA treehouse ready for all our travelers; stay tuned!

Latest Design - After Corrections Back from County

Sneak preview to the latest design!  Features include - metal main structure, a rock climbing wall, a bridge to the meditation pod, 4 tree treehouse.  So much fun to play with; will continue to keep you updated with the county's response to this playful dream!

Thoughts I have...

We received the 2nd review from the county; crossed off lots of corrections, and have about 10 more to work with.  Originally, we had 25 corrections so it feels like we're getting somewhere ;)  As time gets closer to build, I begin to think of how I will logistically be managing the build...  After managing The Gypsy Wagon build, I know I will have to be physically available to make decisions and keep the work flow going.  But how will I manage a 2 year old getting to daycare while my husband is spending the night at the fire station and Lovers Treehouse is 1.5 hrs away (without traffic)...

So... I don't quite have a solution, although I haven't put much thought into it either, but I did get side tracked and began to think of management work flow on site....  I like things done fast and efficiently (although "fast" has not been a word I would describe Lovers Treehouse so far...)  I need to finish daily work "to-do's" for my Real Estate Business (so I need a desk space for my computer) I also want to be able to step on site if builders have any questions (meaning my desk space should be on site)  And if my work space is going to be on site, why not just have my sleeping space on site as well?  My initial thought - I can build another tiny house... reality check - an added project that I'm not going to have time or space for.  Buuut, the tiny house idea is a good one - computer space on site, I'm available to builders and I can sleep there ;)

I began to search for tiny houses, and came across this site that has pre-fabbed homes.  The home, I'm looking at, takes about 3 days to build and I can build on a trailer (could be movable for future projects ;)  http://www.archedcabins.com/

Thoughts I have...

Corrections Corrections Corrections

After a long journey of a Major Variance, we submit designs.  We we're expecting quite a bit of corrections from the county on this "not so conventional home"... Treehouse... and our expectations were pretty spot on.  Right around 25 corrections from the county is what we received... (sort of comical)  Architect and Engineer are on it and we are searching for a way to please the code, yet stay true to a treehouse ;)  Designs to come soon ;)

We Fired Our Parking Engineer...

So, yep that happened....

Bottom line - It was like pulling teeth to get anything concrete to submit to the county... and 1 day she lost it.

So here I am... singing in the car, stopping at fruit stands, heading to Lover's Treehouse site - feeling pretty light and breezy.  I arrive to the site, and the owner of the company (We'll call her Lisa) meets me there with an employee (we'll call him Dan)  Now, the owner has been known to talk bad about people here and there, but never foresaw the following...

I am up on the top/back of the lot, and I can hear a neighbor asking Lisa to be careful climbing the retaining because it is deteriorating.  Lisa must have been having a bad day because she instantly went off on this neighbor... (which really doesn't help our case, seeing that not all the neighbors are stoked we're building a treehouse)  Lisa began yelling at her, told her to "get," started shooing her away, called her a hillbilly...  and the words kept coming out of her mouth!  She got in her car, left angrily and left Dan behind.... I was in complete shock and knew I didn't want to work with that type of energy, nor did I want to bring that energy to the surrounding neighbors.  And so she was let go...

The happy ending:  We are now working with Kadtec and our contact has been on top of it!  Talking with the county, making things happen and will have a plan to us soon ;)

Till next time ;)

Parking Troubleshooting

In my job I have really come to be friends with " Mr. Troubleshoot" as he visits me on a daily basis.  Most recently "Mr. Troubleshoot" said "Your land it so steep, how are we going to get parking to work?"  The design drawn up for the parking was given to the engineer, to which the engineer said "This can't be engineered, let's take another look and see how we're going to do this"  Thankfully there is more than 1 way to skin a cat....  but when will this parking issue be resolved and submitted to the county??  Till the next update....

Sooo... What happened with the Major Variance?

You may be asking yourself; what is a Major Variance?

Short answer: Every city/county has a building code with rules and setbacks for building, remodling, etc.  If your build is not up to code, you can propose your idea (which is the Major Variance)  

Recap of our Major Variance: The location of the tree's that we are using are 8 feet from the property line and the county requires a 15 foot building setback.  This rule, has us applying for a Major Variance...

Since the last time I brought this subject up, we had sent 3 revised site plan's, hoping that the 3rd time would be our last and they would approve our major variance.  Good News: It was in fact our last revision and the major variance was approved! 

Now, on to perfecting engineered plans so that we may submit to the county and get on our merry way...

Inspiration is Everywhere

These days it feels like everything is inspiration... from the leaves on the ground to beautifully done buildings..  Check out our pinterest board for the treehouse along with other projects we're working on ;)

Lover's Treehouse Pinterest Board

Update on Major Variance

This major variance is just as expected (Very slow!)  Recap: The location of the tree's that we are using are 8 feet from the property line and the county requires a 15 foot setback.  This rule, has us applying for a Major Variance...

We have now sent 3 revised site plan's, hoping this will be the last.  (finger's crossed)  Below are pictures and comments from the county and Public Works.

pointing at tree that would need to be removed for parking....will it be removed?


Click here to see combined Comments from County and Public Works

Getting Nerdy for Tree's

While in WA, I also met up with Scott (the arborist) and convinced Dave (our architect) to meet up with us (wasn't too hard)  The crew meets Scott at his office in Fremont and later cruise the streets in search for good drinks and eats where we can sit and nerd out on tree's.  While at Scott's office, I got to check out the equipment used to determine if a tree is in good health for a tree house (didnt' take pictures, but check out his website if your into tree's/treehouses and want to know more)  If your looking to build a treehouse, my team is pretty legit ;)

Out for drinks & nerding out on Tree's (left to right: Dave(architect), me, Scott (arborist)

The troll under the Fremont Bridge

Trip to WA: Meet Architect... Meet "Treehouse Master's"....

I head to Washington to work (not treehouse related) but it just so happens that the treehouse world is here too ;)  

This time of year...

No water drought here...

I set up a meeting to finally meet my architect face to face (and I don't mean on Skype)  We decide to meet at Treehouse Point, where Pete Nelson from Treehouse Masters has built a wonderland of treehouses.

Treehouse Wonderland

Look Out Point on a Treehouse

Couldn't have been a better spot for inspiration, for David Fall (my architect) and I to finish the final touches on the final design (you know, after we realized we had more land, 4 tree's close to eachother and more secluded - this is a learning process)  Both my architect and engineer work with Pete Nelson in creating treehouses, so it was quite nice to have the hookup and have Dave set up a time for us to walk through the treehouses and the land!

Dave Fall (architect) - Odly enough, the treehouse in the back was my 1st blog post... coincidence?... I think not

After climbing into the treehouses, Dave and I sat down with a hot tea and figured out the finishing touches on our treehouse >>>>"Lover's Treehouse"  Handing off to Engineering SOON!

Sort of Heard Back from the County

After a few months of waiting to hear back from the Major Variance with the County...
       Recap:  After we realized we had more land than we thought, we found 4 tree's that could create a 4 tree treehouse.  We made the decision to start from scratch and re-design.  Only problem was that our tree's are 8 ft from the property line and building setbacks are 15 feet....  We paid and put in our application for the Major Variance

Phew, so we turned in our application for the Major Variance a few months back (proposing our idea of building less than 15 feet from the property line) and we were in limbo for the past few months.  In that time, we have been finishing our design to get ready to send off to the engineer.  I have just begun receiving communication from the county (a few things needed to be changed on the site plan (see below)  Site plan has been updated, and we are now waiting once again....  fingers crossed!

Sneak Peak to Our Latest Design

So as you know, we are currently in the Major Variance process (which can take anywhere from 3-6 months)  In the meantime we are getting all our ducks in a row, so that we can be ready to move once we hear from the Major Variance.  It's been a while from my last post, so let's recap -  I've decided to move the treehouse location.  Once we realized we had more land, we decided to move the treehouse to a different set of trees (more secluded)  Originally plans were for a single tree, and now we are looking at a multi tree structure.  Check out our post preliminary plans (plans which are still being tweeked)  The link below gets you access to the full set of current plans ;)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_6AA0hs6PYaX0s3VmVhYU84aTQ/view?usp=sharing

Things Move Slow when pulling Permits...

After finding out that the tree's were healthy, our next red tape to cut came up... The tree's are only 8 feet from the property line and we need to be 15 feet from the property line.  In a nutshell this has been my thought process...

I could have either:

1. Continued with the design that was done on the original tree (treehouse would be closer and visible from the street)

or

2. After finding out we had more land and more trees, I could have moved forward with the new tree's.  This would mean, starting from scratch with the architect, arborist, engineer, etc.  (treehouse would be more secluded and tucked away.

Sooo, after considering the two options, we decided to go with option #2.  Now, with option number 2 we are incorporating some tree's that are real close to the property line (too close in the eyes of the county)  Which means, we must put in for a Major Variance.  This means, we can propose our idea to the county if we pay up a few $K.  This doesn't guarantee that they will move forward with our idea and let us pull permits, but defiantly worth the try.  The feeling I get when I'm in the new spot... I feel like I'm in another world.. our own little world.  If I'm going to do this treehouse, it's going to be done RIGHT ;)

Major Variance, can take anywhere from 3-6 months (ay ay ay, the county knows how to take their time)  But surprisingly enough, it works out well with our other life endeavors; It somehow always works out.  In the meantime, we will be working on the retaining wall, architecture, engineering and submitting all plans, so that when we get the go, we are ready to move.

Part of our land we didn't know we had...new spot for treehouse ;)

Shea comes to Work with his Momma! Are the New Tree's Healthy?

Now, that we are changing the treehouse location, we need to make sure the new tree's are healthy enough to build on... up to the treehouse lot Shea and I go.  Not so happy car ride, diaper changes in the trunk, and hikes in the forest = Mom + Work.  All in all, Shea did pretty darn good; my son is pretty happy when surrounded by nature ;) 

I met the arborist on the lot and he looked at 3 tree's.  The outcome: 2 tree's were healthy, and 1 was not...  Based on that information, we are now looking at another tree that could work.  Soon, the arborist will be going to the lot to make sure the health of the tree is a go.

There a fun new concepts with a bridge and 2 structures that I will show pictures of soon ;)

Hiking with the dude

Hello World

Our Arborist - super knowledgable guy

Happy after a diaper change

Where Will We Park?

Civil Engineer Team

We knew parking would be difficult and expensive, but now that I'm at that point in the project, reality is settling in.  I am still working on getting quotes for excavation and the retaining wall to create a driveway for parking, but our original plans of the driveway being about half the cost of the entire project is looking to be true.

I met with the team at the civil engineer office; we looked at our options and have realized what needs to be done.  And can I just say, another great addition to the "lovers treehouse" team.  Great people to be around and work with (extremely knowledgable within Crestline and they've have a foot in the door with the city for YEARS)  Good people to know ;)

A couple things that need to happen for the parking:

- Excavating into the hillside

- Approximately a 12' retaining wall

Overall Parking Concept