whatever...

Looks like we didn't get on the August 2nd meeting agenda either. How were we lucky enough to stumble upon the black hole of bureaucracy?

We know for sure that we won't be able to build anything this year, but if the powers that be don't get their s&!# together, we won't be able to build next year either. There are still several hoops to jump through once the lot split is approved before we can build.

baby steps — backward?

We didn't make it onto the July 19th Planning Commission Hearing agenda.

The roller coaster continues.

baby steps — don't get too excited yet.

So, we got word about a week ago that the CA Dept. of Forestry (CDF) has granted our request for an exception concerning the road improvements! WOO HOO! Our case has also been tentatively placed on the agenda for the July Panning Commission Hearing. This does not mean that the Planning Department has recommended our case for approval, though. Public Works still has issues with it, but the CDF exception should help sway Public Works' decision.

We're not jumping up and down yet, but we are crossing our fingers behind our backs and giggling a little bit. The hearing is on July 19 (my little bro's birthday, which I'm taking as a good sign) and we'd like to invite anyone who is on our side of this whole fiasco to show up and plead our case. I've been told I need to put a pillow in my shirt (fake pregnancy) and sob the whole time. I'm not sure I'll go that far, but it should be an emotionally charged meeting.

the latest? not much.

I hear from Andy's dad that the latest news is that the Planning Dept. has submitted a request to the CA Dept. of Forestry (CDF) for them to approve or reject our road improvement plan. As you may remember from an earlier post (http://bluelakebungalow.blogspot.com/2007/01/recap_543.html), the road improvement is the main dispute in our lot split procedure.

Our plan is to trim back the trees and build an 80' turnout between our new driveway and Andy's parent's existing driveway. The county thinks we should put in 400' of new street with storm drains, sidewalks, etc. CDF is supposed to be the first responders in the event of a fire in our area. However, we know that the Blue Lake Fire Dept. actually would be. Whatever. My understanding of this submittal to CDF is that the county needs to find out if CDF thinks that they will be able to maneuver their trucks around the area given the turnout we have planned.

Andy's dad said that the CDF submittal is a timed thing. (THANK GOODNESS!) Meaning: if CDF does not respond negatively within the time period, it's the same as responding positively. Silence equals consent. In this particular case, I think I like it. Let's just hope the time period isn't 6 months.

still nothing...

Nothing to report, one way or the other.
Shit or get off the pot already, people.
You're wasting the taxpayers' money and our time.

our kitchen in Real Simple magazine

Well, not really, but the photo in this Home Depot ad found in Real Simple magazine is a lot like the vision I have for our kitchen-to-be.

Here are the major differences:
• We will NOT have that awful yellow tile!
• The appliances probably won't be stainless steel.
• The oven will be a range, not separate and definitely not next to the refrigerator. What a temperature regulation/energy wasting nightmare!
• There won't be a peninsula on the left side of the kitchen (like in the foreground of the photo).
• I think the cabinets will be darker, and have more craftsman-style doors.
• The island will be split-level, so that the range side is counter height, and the side with all the drawers (which we won't have) will be at bar height to serve as an informal dining space.
• The ceiling won't have exposed rafters, but it will have exposed wood, probably stained knotty pine.
• We will have pendant lights hanging over the island, but not those ugly ones, and we will add a hanging pot rack and skylights above.

So, other than those minor little details, our kitchen layout is essentially the same as the one in the picture.

Oh yeah, and ours won't have a giant work order hanging from the ceiling either.

argh!

We hear the folks in the Planning Dept. are arguing over the definition of "subdivision."

We don't expect a verdict anytime soon.