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

Plotting Additional Tree's, Meditating, Good Day at Work

I've been heading to the treehouse land quite often these days and it's so nice to breathe and take time to meditate. With every breath and all the beauty around, I begin to feel restored.   Anything is possible and I find clarity in this sometimes crazy world;)

My last visit to the treehouse was to plot any additional tree's (around the new main tree) that could possibly work as secondary tree's.  Great visit and below is a picture of the tree's that had been surveyed as well as the additional tree's that can be used.  I wonder what the new tree's have in store for the new treehouse formation. So many options...

The highlighted circle is the new "Main Tree"

The local Grub & Whiskey never fails me with a good whiskey after a good day at work

Theatre Room, Meditation Room, All Encompassing Room!

The county requires this treehouse to be 735sqft, but we would really like to keep the treehouse smaller.  Through our travels and treehouse research we have realized a few things:

1. We love running wild in the outdoors and feeling one with nature
2. We defiantly appreciate modern amenities and technology

With that in mind, the treehouse will have indoor/outdoor living areas, it will keep the quaint space of a treehouse but additionally have a feel of a boutique/high end space with modern amenities and technology.   Lot's of wheels are constantly turning ;)

So how do we keep the treehouse smaller than 735sqft and stay on the good side with the county? I have proposed the idea of having an exterior staircase to another structure that would add to the 735sqft.  This idea seems to have been given the go and we are designing with this idea in mind!  Now we have the main structure as well as a 2nd structure.  The main structure will contain a loft, a bedroom, kitchen, lounge area, and balcony.  And what about the 2nd structure?

Exterior Stairs to Secondary Structure and yes we're looking good on this being allowed ;)

What will the 2nd Structure Be?
My husband being the techy nerd that he is has a theatre room in mind. (sounds great)  I  also have in mind a fort type space for quiet meditation (for when the outdoor elements don't allow us to be outside)  Combining these ideas, being open to new ideas, still not quite sure what this 2nd structure will be, but we're having fun creating it :)

Possible Meditative Space in 2nd Structure (for when it's snowing or raining outside)

More Info, More Focus

Always new info to be known and a great learning process for future unique developments ;)  Design is constantly changing, guidelines for a unique project are constantly being looked at further, proposing ideas to the county, and on and on.  I've learned so much while working on the treehouse:

- Timeline for a unique project takes a lot longer...

- I've learned what to have in mind when looking at a lot for creating a unique project (a few shortcuts)

- I've learned more about the county than I ever figured I'd know

And my civil engineer's (Boyer and Associates) grandaughter (7 years old) taught me a thing or 2:

Lesson Learned

The Tree's Are Calling...

After realizing we had more land than we thought, I was curious to see how our architect would take the news (having to re-arrange the treehouse to the new tree cluster... eekk)  Dave's response: The more tree's the better!  We like more Trees!
I gotta say, it feels good to be surrounded by such a great and like minded team ;)  With Dave on board, we continue to move forward and time is starting to move quicker than we thought.  We must start the build around March/April to finish before the snow season hits again....