DebateGate

General Category => 3DHS => Topic started by: Amianthus on July 03, 2008, 07:32:17 PM

Title: A low impact woodland home
Post by: Amianthus on July 03, 2008, 07:32:17 PM
http://www.simondale.net/house/ (http://www.simondale.net/house/)
Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: Plane on July 03, 2008, 08:21:08 PM
Looks like Bilbo and Frodo's place.
Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: kimba1 on July 03, 2008, 08:38:39 PM
looks nice,but since it`s in wales wouldn`t it be abit chilly?
maybe have some rooms lower ground so heat would be trapped easily.
Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: Amianthus on July 03, 2008, 08:59:08 PM
looks nice,but since it`s in wales wouldn`t it be abit chilly?
maybe have some rooms lower ground so heat would be trapped easily.

It has lots of insulation. Even under the floors.

Besides, Wales does not get that cold. The British Isles get the benefit of the Gulf Stream bringing warm air up from the Caribbean year round. I mean, it's not toasty or anything, but it's much warmer than areas of Canada at the same latitude.
Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on July 03, 2008, 09:11:06 PM
A great idea, but zoning laws in much of the US would prevent one from building it in most US cities, and more's the pity.

Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: BT on July 03, 2008, 09:13:55 PM
Quote
A great idea, but zoning laws in much of the US would prevent one from building it in most US cities, and more's the pity.

That is why they have variances.

Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: Xavier_Onassis on July 04, 2008, 11:04:30 AM
To get a variance involves all manner of legal actions.

There would surely be more homes such as this if variances were in any way easy to get.

When I called the county to get a list of acceptable materials to build a carport, the brain-dead woman on the other end of the line refused to provide one, saying that my contractor would have their list, and they had none available. When I said I would be doing my own contracting, she gave me a number that no one answered after 12 calls.



Title: Re: A low impact woodland home
Post by: BT on July 04, 2008, 11:43:13 AM
Quote
To get a variance involves all manner of legal actions.

You fill out a couple forms, notify adjacent landowners and request a public hearing. You appear before a board, state your case and satisfy objections. My recommendation is to bypass bureaucrats and call you councilperson. They will have staff answer your questions.

If the process is troublersome it is usually because paperwork is incomplete or the plaintiff is surrounded by petty neighbors.