We have the Land Disturbance Permit, the Building Permit and the Demolition Permit. They're moving working on the land right now, clearing a path to the house while preserving as many trees as possible (my mission, which has been challenging as I am running into resistance from every direction). Trees are being saved, although some may have to come down when we see what the overall placement of things will end up being.
The road has moved quite a bit, initially away from the highest point in the lot, which would have been better from a drainage perspective but would have been nearly in the back yards of the closest neighbors. I wouldn't want someone's driveway in my back yard and we did want to have a more private feel, so we shifted the driveway. It became less straight because there were some very old trees we could save if we moved it left a bit here, right a bit there, etc.
That's turned out to be a good decision because it looks just beautiful as you look at the path coming in. The canopy of trees has been largely preserved while opening up the feel you have while you're going down or looking down the driveway in either direction. Rob, our project manager, builder, etc. said it was one of the most beautiful sites he'd worked on. That all goes to my husband, who found and championed the site. It really was a find.
Today was the demolition of the existing house on the property. My in-laws, husband, builder, and I came to watch as Shaun pulled the house down while saving two large trees that were within three feet of the building. Our builder said it couldn't be done. Shaun said he could do it. And he most definitely did. He also plucked the chandelier with the excavator so we could save the last custom glass pieces on it. He's something else.
My son: was sick today. He didn't have COVID and he had no fever, but when I came to pick him up mid-day a father was picking his daughter up who had similar symptoms.
My daughter: was sad about the house being demolished. I told her I was too, but in order for us to build our house it had to come dow. That made her feel a little bit but not much better. I did hate to see the house come down, even if it was in a mess of a state.
