Hey all, here it is!
Its time to get your ideas out of cyberspace and onto paper! You can do this as a local gathering or immediate family. You can do this alone, if you want or are unable to get together, too.
Preparation:
- Plan your groups - if there's more than 10 people joining in the charette, divide into more than one group. Groups can be organized into older and younger to help everyone get their ideas heard.
- Designate a lead of each group who doesn't mind keeping notes and sketching.
- Print out the drawing as big as you can - BUT KEEP IN MIND, that it still needs to be a size that you can scan back into a computer. This drawing is set up for letter size, but I printed it out at 24"x36" with no problem. I'm planning on photographing it with a high resolution camera to get it into a file.
- Each group needs their own drawing and trace paper or at least (2) copies of the drawing
- Get your markers, pencils, crayons, whatever you want to use.
Charetting:
- The group leader guides the discussion, writing and drawing the ideas onto the trace paper or one of the copies of the master plan drawing.
- Talk about what you want at the Falls, what you think is needed there and what you want to do there. This can include mundane things like roads, wells and utilities, too. Go ahead and jot the ideas down. Sketch what and where you think things go. Sketch your ideas of what a lodge or camping site or whatever should look like up in the margins, too if you want.
- THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: money doesn't matter at this point. This is a pie-in-the-sky discussion. Phasing and funding will be discussed later. If you think we should have lodge built out of solid granite, encrusted with gold and jewels then we'll discuss if that works or how get the money for it later.
- Once your group comes to a consensus of what its master plan should be, use the remaining master plan drawing to draw up a finalized version. This isn't a masterpiece, we just want a completed copy of your ideas without a whole bunch of cross-outs and scribbled out ideas. Go ahead and write down on the drawing the things that you think a picture won't convey very well. Notate your sketches so we know what we're looking at.
- Keep in mind that you probably shouldn't write too small. These drawings will be put looked at online.
- Rate the importance of your ideas. In other words, put a "1" next to the things that you think need to be done right away, "2" next to the next urgent items, and so forth.
- Put your group's name on the drawing somewhere so we know who to praise or blame ;).
Critique:
- Optional: iff there's more than one group at your gathering then maybe you can critique each others before showing it to the whole family.
- We haven't worked out the details of the family-wide critique yet, but here's a start.
- Get your final drawing into a digital format. You can scan it in, or if you have confidence in your skills, photograph it at a high resolution. Since we don't know which file format we want to use yet, for now save it in a lossless format (NOT JPG, it loses quaility everytime you save). We'll let you know the best file formats for uploading when we're at that point.
- Hopefully we'll have a website up soon to upload your plans to.
- Once we get the website up, I think we'll have a deadline for getting your master plans posted by. Once we're at that point, I'll give more directions about critiquing work.
Every Step:
- HAVE FUN!!!
Let me know if you have questions. I'll be at Granddad's this weekend, otherwise you can reach me at ad.macmail@yahoo.com or 360-386-9317.
Aaron
Friday, April 3, 2009
beginning summary
It is exciting that it is finally time to work on the family preserve. It is exciting to hear the ideas you have, the understanding of what needs to be done, and the expertise we have within our family group. The gates have been opened and we are ready and raring to go. therefore, let me recap where we are;
Mike has the legal entity of the family organization in order as a non profit org. He will open a bank as needed.
The CFLLC has given the family (the MacDonald Family Association) the go ahead to work on the family land (MacDonald Family Preserve).
Aaron has been nominated and accepted as the Master Plan Chairman.
1st step is to brainstorm by Charette groups (an intensive, fast, study group)
The Charette's will answer these 2 questions:
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
2ND QUESTION: HOW DO YOU WISH TO USE the land? What do you want to DO at the land?
All of the family is divided by geographical groups are each a Charette group and will to brainstorm ideas for the master plan.
1) California; 2) Idaho; 3) Iowa/Michigan; 4) Utah; 5) Washington East; 6) Washington West;
[OK, you know who you are ;go organize, come up with a plan by Easter time and get ready to report what you think could be a master plan.]
Evan will get a web "forum" set up and running for everyone this week. Jenny will be a fellow consultant with Evan. Jenny and Evan will let us know when we can use it.
A small "forum" is through GoogleGroups. Check em out! groups.google.com This is a free service that (aside from having a message board/forum) lets members build pages with information, upload files (like maps, photos, blueprints, Scottish music and videos of grandad playing the bones ... click here: http://is.gd/pB8K ). Evan (and Lindsay and
Nina) www.evanandlindsay.com
Granddad wrote about some improvements that need to be made to have a working family preserve. Check out his ideas in the attachment.
Aaron's direction's
A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analyzing the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette):
A) Gather together, pick a facilitator for the group,
B) Facilitator directs the group's discussion and asks people to write and draw the ideas,
C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and
D) Each group presents to the whole family by using the "FAMILY FORUM" where we gather comments and review ideas (the Critique stage).
(Jan's little note here - as an artist, I have an opinion of what makes for a useful critique. A critique must be a 'what works' and 'why' and 'what doesn't work' and 'why' and 'suggestions to make it work.')
Steps 2) and 3) will be done by the architect or planner, Aaron, who after presenting the master plan back to the "family", also completes step 4) for final review.
Lastly, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for General Conference is an excellent opportunity for the Washington East group to have a Charette.
All you other Charette groups, when are YOU meeting?
What do you think?
Janice
keep the ball bouncing
Mike has the legal entity of the family organization in order as a non profit org. He will open a bank as needed.
The CFLLC has given the family (the MacDonald Family Association) the go ahead to work on the family land (MacDonald Family Preserve).
Aaron has been nominated and accepted as the Master Plan Chairman.
1st step is to brainstorm by Charette groups (an intensive, fast, study group)
The Charette's will answer these 2 questions:
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
2ND QUESTION: HOW DO YOU WISH TO USE the land? What do you want to DO at the land?
All of the family is divided by geographical groups are each a Charette group and will to brainstorm ideas for the master plan.
1) California; 2) Idaho; 3) Iowa/Michigan; 4) Utah; 5) Washington East; 6) Washington West;
[OK, you know who you are ;go organize, come up with a plan by Easter time and get ready to report what you think could be a master plan.]
Evan will get a web "forum" set up and running for everyone this week. Jenny will be a fellow consultant with Evan. Jenny and Evan will let us know when we can use it.
A small "forum" is through GoogleGroups. Check em out! groups.google.com This is a free service that (aside from having a message board/forum) lets members build pages with information, upload files (like maps, photos, blueprints, Scottish music and videos of grandad playing the bones ... click here: http://is.gd/pB8K ). Evan (and Lindsay and
Nina) www.evanandlindsay.com
Granddad wrote about some improvements that need to be made to have a working family preserve. Check out his ideas in the attachment.
Aaron's direction's
A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analyzing the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette):
A) Gather together, pick a facilitator for the group,
B) Facilitator directs the group's discussion and asks people to write and draw the ideas,
C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and
D) Each group presents to the whole family by using the "FAMILY FORUM" where we gather comments and review ideas (the Critique stage).
(Jan's little note here - as an artist, I have an opinion of what makes for a useful critique. A critique must be a 'what works' and 'why' and 'what doesn't work' and 'why' and 'suggestions to make it work.')
Steps 2) and 3) will be done by the architect or planner, Aaron, who after presenting the master plan back to the "family", also completes step 4) for final review.
Lastly, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for General Conference is an excellent opportunity for the Washington East group to have a Charette.
All you other Charette groups, when are YOU meeting?
What do you think?
Janice
keep the ball bouncing
Grand Daddy Mac's views
Observations on The Cowlitz Falls and the Family Preserve by Charles MacDonald
I think this is a good time for review, and for some important questions. First, the questions:
Who owns the road? Who decides on use of the road? How is the road to be maintained? Who defines the road right-of-way?
Who owns the wells? Who may use the wells?
Perhaps it’d be well to review what has been done, what projects are in progress, and what the next steps ought to be. First off, after I realized the acre on which I live and, its surroundings, could not become the permanent Family Camp Ground (it’s served pretty well, in the short term, however), I began development of the River Camp Site. This required some land clearing and expense. During that time I envisioned what the Camp Sites might look like, and what I’d hope they would not look like. I envisioned log framed cabins with good roofs and half-walls, one for each of the sites cleared. (There are more good sites available.) These cabins would be made from peeled hemlock logs, availed on the greater 84 acre site, and not marketable for lumber. This would be a low-cost, labor intensive project, perhaps each family selecting their own site to develop. I also talked with Aaron about restrictive covenants, etc. During this time I also cleared the gully leading to the fishing hole, and constructed a trail. You had already constructed a beautiful trail, but it didn’t lead to a fishing hole. The gully was a bigger project than originally conceived, but still went pretty well. We also located an amphitheater, built some seating, and a performing stage will be completed when floor planks are milled.
Development of this site has 4 basic elements: a serviceable road, water and bathrooms, and power. First, the road! I had hoped, and had been assured; that a serviceable roadbed would be constructed when the logging was done when equipment was available for the project. This was not done. I was then told the Family Preserve would have the expense, to which I replied, “But, you’re part of the preserve.” I have wanted to participate in some of these costs, but my offers have been declined. Now, the ROAD still needs doing (there are 3 really bad parts requiring culverts). Now, roadbed construction must also include a water line trench, and (the most expense part) gravel. Once I felt a truck load of alder could be salvaged from the 84 acres to defray road costs, but now the lumber market is too poor for that.
POWER was a pretty easy problem for me, but my solution is questioned by some. I bought a really good power generator, and can take it to the site when required. The cost of taking power lines to the camp site would be out of the question. The generator will work well for a long time.
WATER is still a critical need. Well drilling is a major expense, but we already have two wells on the site that were drilled during construction of the dam. I bought a good submersible pump with power cable, and we used this to test both wells. One is very good, and the other has some potential. All that is needed is to get the water to the Camp is a water line and a trench to put it in. Gary Morgan has offered me 2” cable that will be great for water. All we need do is dig a trench and bury the pipe. I can still provide the means to pioneer the roadbed, dig the trench and bury the water line, but cannot afford to do the culverts or lay the gravel. These are the most critical projects, and I believe they must be our first priority.
I think the next big project is to construct what I call a dining hall. That’s a pretty grand name for what I envision. I see a 30’ x 60’ pole building with a nice metal roof. One end of the building has 3 enclosed rooms: 2 privies (outhouses), and a shower room. The 30’ bulkhead wall opens to what I call the kitchen: hot water heater, generator hook-up, sinks, counter tops, bar-be-cue hook ups, and lockable cupboards. The balance of the building is opened walled, and contains tables and benches, and could even have a dirt floor in the short term. This project should be a low-cost for building materials, but labor intensive.
I had hoped to complete this much while alive, so additional costs may be more manageable for young families. But, things are going too slow. I cannot see an easy solutions. The CFLLC has all the WHEN authority. Family Preserve projects must be compatible with CFLLC time tables, and authority to proceed rests with them. As you know the CFLLC has just given us the go ahead. We all need a clearer vision of the Family Preserve role. I think your accomplishments are profound and very good. Our Family can accomplish great things when we work together.
I think this is a good time for review, and for some important questions. First, the questions:
Who owns the road? Who decides on use of the road? How is the road to be maintained? Who defines the road right-of-way?
Who owns the wells? Who may use the wells?
Perhaps it’d be well to review what has been done, what projects are in progress, and what the next steps ought to be. First off, after I realized the acre on which I live and, its surroundings, could not become the permanent Family Camp Ground (it’s served pretty well, in the short term, however), I began development of the River Camp Site. This required some land clearing and expense. During that time I envisioned what the Camp Sites might look like, and what I’d hope they would not look like. I envisioned log framed cabins with good roofs and half-walls, one for each of the sites cleared. (There are more good sites available.) These cabins would be made from peeled hemlock logs, availed on the greater 84 acre site, and not marketable for lumber. This would be a low-cost, labor intensive project, perhaps each family selecting their own site to develop. I also talked with Aaron about restrictive covenants, etc. During this time I also cleared the gully leading to the fishing hole, and constructed a trail. You had already constructed a beautiful trail, but it didn’t lead to a fishing hole. The gully was a bigger project than originally conceived, but still went pretty well. We also located an amphitheater, built some seating, and a performing stage will be completed when floor planks are milled.
Development of this site has 4 basic elements: a serviceable road, water and bathrooms, and power. First, the road! I had hoped, and had been assured; that a serviceable roadbed would be constructed when the logging was done when equipment was available for the project. This was not done. I was then told the Family Preserve would have the expense, to which I replied, “But, you’re part of the preserve.” I have wanted to participate in some of these costs, but my offers have been declined. Now, the ROAD still needs doing (there are 3 really bad parts requiring culverts). Now, roadbed construction must also include a water line trench, and (the most expense part) gravel. Once I felt a truck load of alder could be salvaged from the 84 acres to defray road costs, but now the lumber market is too poor for that.
POWER was a pretty easy problem for me, but my solution is questioned by some. I bought a really good power generator, and can take it to the site when required. The cost of taking power lines to the camp site would be out of the question. The generator will work well for a long time.
WATER is still a critical need. Well drilling is a major expense, but we already have two wells on the site that were drilled during construction of the dam. I bought a good submersible pump with power cable, and we used this to test both wells. One is very good, and the other has some potential. All that is needed is to get the water to the Camp is a water line and a trench to put it in. Gary Morgan has offered me 2” cable that will be great for water. All we need do is dig a trench and bury the pipe. I can still provide the means to pioneer the roadbed, dig the trench and bury the water line, but cannot afford to do the culverts or lay the gravel. These are the most critical projects, and I believe they must be our first priority.
I think the next big project is to construct what I call a dining hall. That’s a pretty grand name for what I envision. I see a 30’ x 60’ pole building with a nice metal roof. One end of the building has 3 enclosed rooms: 2 privies (outhouses), and a shower room. The 30’ bulkhead wall opens to what I call the kitchen: hot water heater, generator hook-up, sinks, counter tops, bar-be-cue hook ups, and lockable cupboards. The balance of the building is opened walled, and contains tables and benches, and could even have a dirt floor in the short term. This project should be a low-cost for building materials, but labor intensive.
I had hoped to complete this much while alive, so additional costs may be more manageable for young families. But, things are going too slow. I cannot see an easy solutions. The CFLLC has all the WHEN authority. Family Preserve projects must be compatible with CFLLC time tables, and authority to proceed rests with them. As you know the CFLLC has just given us the go ahead. We all need a clearer vision of the Family Preserve role. I think your accomplishments are profound and very good. Our Family can accomplish great things when we work together.
Aaron's how to do a Charette
Hi again,
Thanks for the input, I figured there were others out there that thought the same. I'd be happy to take the lead. Janice's First and Second Questions below are the keys to creating a master plan. For once in the real world, the financial realities take a back seat and are dealt with later. A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analysising the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette): A) Those interested in contributing gather together with the facilitators, B) Everyone splits into 2 - 4 groups each with a facilitator who directs their group's discussion and also writes and draws their ideas, C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and D) Each group presents to the whole gathering for comments and review (the Critique). Steps 2) and 3) are done by the architect or planner, who after presenting the master plan back to the "community", also completes step 4) for final review.
I can give more details on steps 2) to 4) later, but I was tossing and turning last night trying to figure out how to do step 1), the Charette, when the "community" is phyisiclly scattered all about. I have a couple of ideas. My favorite is having localized families have their own Charette (or steps A, B & C above). We can create a website where family members can go to get the tools they need to have their Charette and then post their results so that everyone can comment on them. I can do my analysising and repost to the site for additional comments. The "final" master plan and any future revisions can be on this site. I have the means to set up a site for free and pretty easily (Google Sites); however, I know there those of us who have WAY more skills and resources than I have who could perhaps take the lead on the website. Also, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for Conference is an excellent opportunity for those nearby to have a Charette.
Your thoughts?
Having recently done this at work with a school group, I can tell you that everyone had LOTS OF FUN and they took an even larger feeling of pride and ownership in their school.
Aaron
Thanks for the input, I figured there were others out there that thought the same. I'd be happy to take the lead. Janice's First and Second Questions below are the keys to creating a master plan. For once in the real world, the financial realities take a back seat and are dealt with later. A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analysising the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette): A) Those interested in contributing gather together with the facilitators, B) Everyone splits into 2 - 4 groups each with a facilitator who directs their group's discussion and also writes and draws their ideas, C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and D) Each group presents to the whole gathering for comments and review (the Critique). Steps 2) and 3) are done by the architect or planner, who after presenting the master plan back to the "community", also completes step 4) for final review.
I can give more details on steps 2) to 4) later, but I was tossing and turning last night trying to figure out how to do step 1), the Charette, when the "community" is phyisiclly scattered all about. I have a couple of ideas. My favorite is having localized families have their own Charette (or steps A, B & C above). We can create a website where family members can go to get the tools they need to have their Charette and then post their results so that everyone can comment on them. I can do my analysising and repost to the site for additional comments. The "final" master plan and any future revisions can be on this site. I have the means to set up a site for free and pretty easily (Google Sites); however, I know there those of us who have WAY more skills and resources than I have who could perhaps take the lead on the website. Also, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for Conference is an excellent opportunity for those nearby to have a Charette.
Your thoughts?
Having recently done this at work with a school group, I can tell you that everyone had LOTS OF FUN and they took an even larger feeling of pride and ownership in their school.
Aaron
Aaron's how to work this ideas
Hi all,
This is exciting that things have moved forward. I think that the Family Preserve will be of a great benefit to our family (especially the rising and future generations).
Below it mentions "So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property? ...The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom).... It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point." May I strongly suggest that we come up with a master plan before things start popping up everywhere. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure there are already various master plans in some of our heads. I believe that before we start building cabins, tent sites, etc we need to drawn up and agree upon (as much as possible) a plan. I'm willing to help out as much as needed. In my professional experience I've seen developments that have had no master plan or a poor one, and they have fallen grossly short of their potential.
I hope I haven't come across preachy, I'm just wanting the best for our Preserve. Your thoughts?
Aaron
This is exciting that things have moved forward. I think that the Family Preserve will be of a great benefit to our family (especially the rising and future generations).
Below it mentions "So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property? ...The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom).... It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point." May I strongly suggest that we come up with a master plan before things start popping up everywhere. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure there are already various master plans in some of our heads. I believe that before we start building cabins, tent sites, etc we need to drawn up and agree upon (as much as possible) a plan. I'm willing to help out as much as needed. In my professional experience I've seen developments that have had no master plan or a poor one, and they have fallen grossly short of their potential.
I hope I haven't come across preachy, I'm just wanting the best for our Preserve. Your thoughts?
Aaron
Neal's containing ideas
I know the Family doesn't hear too muchh out of me, but when I give an idea it should be really great and something that most everybody would agree with. Here is my idea for a simple cheep and very "GREEN" idea...from MR. Goldburg. Now I saw this on the HGTV back in the states before I had to start pay a TAX to watch TV...And it to me seemed like it would work great for what we would like to do up at the falls. okay enough of the delay. we could build a non-residential building or Family lodge with a conex or shipping containers!!! the best part of all is that they are actually really cheep too buy! depending on the size and location that you buy them from. The average cost per container is about $1,500-$2,000. You can even order them off e-bay http://shop.ebay.com/items/Shipping-Containers.
I have it all laid out in my head how it would look, but i do not have any program that i could use to draw it up. but it's very simple;
just pour a solid foundation (a 50ft x 30-40ft or depending on the length of the containers) stack 2 in each corner or 2 on both ends( if you went with say a 20ft or 40ft) (also if you stack 2 then you can have a cheep second floor and turn the corners into rooms/lofts) and walah!!!you have the main foundation and 80% of the "family lodge" built. the front and back sides could be sealed to the (water proof) conex with a simple garage style walls that connect the two ends. and even a garage door could be used. Are you guys seeing this from my heads point of view yet?. here is another link that has several other links on it, so you can see what other people all over the world have done with this. http://www.shedandshelter.com/conex/conex.htm
even if nobody else wanted this I still think that it would be a good idea for a garage/shed for all of the CFLLC stuff like tractors and other such things that would want to be kept stored and safe. but the great thing about building this is it wouldn't be hard to updat and refit with plumbing if the time ever came to were you could do so. again they are cheep, thousands of configurations, very eco/green and it just looks really cool. This is just my idea and want to see what the rest of you might think about doing something like this.
love neal.
I have it all laid out in my head how it would look, but i do not have any program that i could use to draw it up. but it's very simple;
just pour a solid foundation (a 50ft x 30-40ft or depending on the length of the containers) stack 2 in each corner or 2 on both ends( if you went with say a 20ft or 40ft) (also if you stack 2 then you can have a cheep second floor and turn the corners into rooms/lofts) and walah!!!you have the main foundation and 80% of the "family lodge" built. the front and back sides could be sealed to the (water proof) conex with a simple garage style walls that connect the two ends. and even a garage door could be used. Are you guys seeing this from my heads point of view yet?. here is another link that has several other links on it, so you can see what other people all over the world have done with this. http://www.shedandshelter.com/conex/conex.htm
even if nobody else wanted this I still think that it would be a good idea for a garage/shed for all of the CFLLC stuff like tractors and other such things that would want to be kept stored and safe. but the great thing about building this is it wouldn't be hard to updat and refit with plumbing if the time ever came to were you could do so. again they are cheep, thousands of configurations, very eco/green and it just looks really cool. This is just my idea and want to see what the rest of you might think about doing something like this.
love neal.
Gordon's question 1
Lets get started...
This email focuses on infrastructure needs, which is the foundation of a good plan.
I suggest someone else start an email thread that talks about the lodge, and some one else start an email that take on another thing that you with were on the Family Preserve.
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
Infrastructure Needs
1. Reliable, all-weather road
fix the drainage problems with puddles in the low spots
clear the brush and berry vines away from the sides of the road
put a cross slope on the road so stormwater drains off the road and take out the big rock so you don't get high centered when you drive the family car down there
provide gravel/crushed rock surface
- at least on the steeper parts at first
- do the rest of the road ultimately
2. Reliable potable water
Option 1 - Hook up the spring and pipe it down to the family preserve
Option 2 - Hook up to the test bore hole #1 that was dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 10 minutes about 2-3 times a day. We would have to pump it to a holding tank.
Option 3 - Hook up to the test bore hole #3 also dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 24 hours a day at 20 gal./min. This was originally planned for Fred and Amy when they build. But plans are still in the formation stage.
Option 4 - Drill a new well on the family preserve
3. Reliable electric power
Option 1 - Is solar an option? I think not because it is in the shadow of Tumwater Mountain most of the day in the winter? This needs more investigation.
Option 2 - bring in power on poles or put in under ground conduits. We could bury conduits at the same time we bring in the water line.
4. Sanitary facilities
Initially - out houses, you know...they way it used to be at the falls
Ultimately - septic system
Another "green" option is a waste incineration system. This leaves no solid waste to dispose of; it all goes up in smoke with a little help from propane. The MacDonalds have no problem with gas.
This email focuses on infrastructure needs, which is the foundation of a good plan.
I suggest someone else start an email thread that talks about the lodge, and some one else start an email that take on another thing that you with were on the Family Preserve.
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
Infrastructure Needs
1. Reliable, all-weather road
fix the drainage problems with puddles in the low spots
clear the brush and berry vines away from the sides of the road
put a cross slope on the road so stormwater drains off the road and take out the big rock so you don't get high centered when you drive the family car down there
provide gravel/crushed rock surface
- at least on the steeper parts at first
- do the rest of the road ultimately
2. Reliable potable water
Option 1 - Hook up the spring and pipe it down to the family preserve
Option 2 - Hook up to the test bore hole #1 that was dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 10 minutes about 2-3 times a day. We would have to pump it to a holding tank.
Option 3 - Hook up to the test bore hole #3 also dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 24 hours a day at 20 gal./min. This was originally planned for Fred and Amy when they build. But plans are still in the formation stage.
Option 4 - Drill a new well on the family preserve
3. Reliable electric power
Option 1 - Is solar an option? I think not because it is in the shadow of Tumwater Mountain most of the day in the winter? This needs more investigation.
Option 2 - bring in power on poles or put in under ground conduits. We could bury conduits at the same time we bring in the water line.
4. Sanitary facilities
Initially - out houses, you know...they way it used to be at the falls
Ultimately - septic system
Another "green" option is a waste incineration system. This leaves no solid waste to dispose of; it all goes up in smoke with a little help from propane. The MacDonalds have no problem with gas.
Cowlitz Falls LLC ready set go statement
****SEE ATTACHMENTS***
Cowlitz Falls, L.L.C.
March 27, 2009
Dear Extended MacDonald Family,
This information is pertinent to every member of the MacDonald family present and future!
We are very happy to announce that the Cowlitz Falls, LLC has made some milestone accomplishments towards forming a physical segregation of property for the MacDonald Family Preserve. This letter is to inform you of events and recent changes that have taken place.
The CFLLC's #1 objective is to make Family Preserve acreage sub-divided and legally ready to be owned in perpetuity by the MacDonald Family organization.
What at first seemed like a wonderful and simple idea in 2003, that we could just go to the Lewis County offices in Chehalis and file an permit application for, has turned out to be much more complicated and expensive than we knew at the outset-!
Brief Overview:
• 2003 CFLLC takes a land loan from Security State Bank and begins to make monthly payments.
• Soon after obtaining ownership, we learned that our neighbor, John Linder is using the "grandfathered in" spring for all of his water use. This is the same spring that granddad and dad improved for their water use back in the 1950’s and improved again in 1969. Since then there have been no improvements or any significant maintenance. The Linder’s water is poor and at times completely dries up. They need a well and cannot get a permit to build one on less than 2 acres of land. So we agreed to sell John 1.8 acres, after our survey was complete. So he has been waiting for a long time for this to complete.
• 2004 CFLLC decides to log about 10 acres to help pay for the necessary survey and fund the permitting process to subdivide the land in the four parcels: one for each of Fred, Amy, and Gordon, and one for the “Family Preserve.
• Late 2004, hire Butler Surveying. We had many meetings with the surveyor to discuss our goals and wants. Subsequently, Butler surveyed the entire property, found all previous survey markers, did title search, etc. The process turned up the whole history of ownership and changes of the acres. There have been numerous changes out there over the last century. The Survey required 2-3 different trips to The Falls by a crew of surveyors. The end product of the survey included, new parcel descriptions, survey markers, and survey maps, all delivered to us and to our lawyer, then filed with Lewis County. The entire survey process took 4 YEARS
Important Distinction: **The current moratorium on growth will allow for only 3 parcels of land on our 87 acres. So, in order to pave the way for a legal segregation of property at some future date, the survey has delineated and described 5 separate parcels.**
• Many consultations with planners at Lewis County - have revealed that a small portion of our property is affected by a moratorium for segregation, which was placed on protected land use areas. Washington State's Growth Management Act http://www.gmhb.wa.gov/gma/index.html. The GMA requires that the three boards meet jointly at least annually to share information that promotes the goals and purposes of the GMA. Over the past 5 years that we have been following the situation, the moratorium has been lifted in some areas but not all, and we still have a small sliver of land along the river that falls under their protected area.
•2008 Hire Scott Blinks, Attorney. Consultations with Mr. Blinks to determine the best case scenario towards our goals for The Falls. With the new survey filed at the county, we were now able to file for a "Boundary Line Agreement ". This is not the final solution, but a very necessary step in the process.
• February 2, 2009: “Red Letter Day”
Filed the completed survey at Lewis County.
Filed an amendment to the survey; a Boundary Line Agreement with John Linder, allowing us to sell 1.8 acres to him.
• March 9, 2009. Sell 1.8 acres to John Linder giving him his deed and new legal description.
• March 9, 2009. Signed a new land loan contract with the bank, using most of the proceeds from the Linder sale towards our principle loan. Our monthly payments will pay the mortgage in about 10 years, unless we pay it off early.
So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property?
Almost anything we want to do. The attorney has written "easements" into the legal description. The CFLLC still owns and pays taxes for that land but the Family Organization has easement to "MacDonald Road" and to the 11 acres along the river. See the maps attached. The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom), because that is when the county requires a residential building permit. We need to have that acreage sub-divided before the final property sub-division. It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point.
What Happens when the moratorium is lifted?
The CFLLC will follow through with it's #1 goal to segregate and gift the property to the family organization. Fortunately it will not require 5 years of legal and survey work to get it ready. Those things are already done and paid for. The CFLLC will do what the county requires at that time, for a subdivision of property. When complete, the family can take legal ownership and build it up further. A family lodge, etc. There are implications of maintenance, property taxes and land designation that will become issues that the family organization will assume at that time.
What about the rest of the acreage?
The LLC will continue to own the balance of the land. Members of the LLC will have the opportunity for individual ownership of one of the parcels after the balance of the mortgage is paid off and the family preserve is gifted to the family organization. Members of the CFLLC have unanimously agreed that these properties will remain in CFLLC ownership until them. Thereafter, it is our intent to keep the other parcels in the family.
The CFLLC as a group have kept our eye on the prize throughout this whole process. We know that our ultimate goal has not yet been met, but that the groundwork has been laid. Amazingly, the resources have been there, through the harvesting of granddad's over-grown Christmas trees, and our individual monthly loan payments. The fuel behind it all is the family's recent resurgent support towards gaining a MacDonald Family Preserve & Dad and Mom's constant hospitality providing our home base at The Falls.
See the attachment showing The Falls property in 2 phases:
Phase #1 – 3 parcels with easements for The MacDonald Family Preserve.
Phase #2 – 5 subdivided parcels - MacDonald Family Preserve ready for the family organization to take legal ownership.
Cowlitz Falls, L.L.C.
March 27, 2009
Dear Extended MacDonald Family,
This information is pertinent to every member of the MacDonald family present and future!
We are very happy to announce that the Cowlitz Falls, LLC has made some milestone accomplishments towards forming a physical segregation of property for the MacDonald Family Preserve. This letter is to inform you of events and recent changes that have taken place.
The CFLLC's #1 objective is to make Family Preserve acreage sub-divided and legally ready to be owned in perpetuity by the MacDonald Family organization.
What at first seemed like a wonderful and simple idea in 2003, that we could just go to the Lewis County offices in Chehalis and file an permit application for, has turned out to be much more complicated and expensive than we knew at the outset-!
Brief Overview:
• 2003 CFLLC takes a land loan from Security State Bank and begins to make monthly payments.
• Soon after obtaining ownership, we learned that our neighbor, John Linder is using the "grandfathered in" spring for all of his water use. This is the same spring that granddad and dad improved for their water use back in the 1950’s and improved again in 1969. Since then there have been no improvements or any significant maintenance. The Linder’s water is poor and at times completely dries up. They need a well and cannot get a permit to build one on less than 2 acres of land. So we agreed to sell John 1.8 acres, after our survey was complete. So he has been waiting for a long time for this to complete.
• 2004 CFLLC decides to log about 10 acres to help pay for the necessary survey and fund the permitting process to subdivide the land in the four parcels: one for each of Fred, Amy, and Gordon, and one for the “Family Preserve.
• Late 2004, hire Butler Surveying. We had many meetings with the surveyor to discuss our goals and wants. Subsequently, Butler surveyed the entire property, found all previous survey markers, did title search, etc. The process turned up the whole history of ownership and changes of the acres. There have been numerous changes out there over the last century. The Survey required 2-3 different trips to The Falls by a crew of surveyors. The end product of the survey included, new parcel descriptions, survey markers, and survey maps, all delivered to us and to our lawyer, then filed with Lewis County. The entire survey process took 4 YEARS
Important Distinction: **The current moratorium on growth will allow for only 3 parcels of land on our 87 acres. So, in order to pave the way for a legal segregation of property at some future date, the survey has delineated and described 5 separate parcels.**
• Many consultations with planners at Lewis County - have revealed that a small portion of our property is affected by a moratorium for segregation, which was placed on protected land use areas. Washington State's Growth Management Act http://www.gmhb.wa.gov/gma/index.html. The GMA requires that the three boards meet jointly at least annually to share information that promotes the goals and purposes of the GMA. Over the past 5 years that we have been following the situation, the moratorium has been lifted in some areas but not all, and we still have a small sliver of land along the river that falls under their protected area.
•2008 Hire Scott Blinks, Attorney. Consultations with Mr. Blinks to determine the best case scenario towards our goals for The Falls. With the new survey filed at the county, we were now able to file for a "Boundary Line Agreement ". This is not the final solution, but a very necessary step in the process.
• February 2, 2009: “Red Letter Day”
Filed the completed survey at Lewis County.
Filed an amendment to the survey; a Boundary Line Agreement with John Linder, allowing us to sell 1.8 acres to him.
• March 9, 2009. Sell 1.8 acres to John Linder giving him his deed and new legal description.
• March 9, 2009. Signed a new land loan contract with the bank, using most of the proceeds from the Linder sale towards our principle loan. Our monthly payments will pay the mortgage in about 10 years, unless we pay it off early.
So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property?
Almost anything we want to do. The attorney has written "easements" into the legal description. The CFLLC still owns and pays taxes for that land but the Family Organization has easement to "MacDonald Road" and to the 11 acres along the river. See the maps attached. The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom), because that is when the county requires a residential building permit. We need to have that acreage sub-divided before the final property sub-division. It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point.
What Happens when the moratorium is lifted?
The CFLLC will follow through with it's #1 goal to segregate and gift the property to the family organization. Fortunately it will not require 5 years of legal and survey work to get it ready. Those things are already done and paid for. The CFLLC will do what the county requires at that time, for a subdivision of property. When complete, the family can take legal ownership and build it up further. A family lodge, etc. There are implications of maintenance, property taxes and land designation that will become issues that the family organization will assume at that time.
What about the rest of the acreage?
The LLC will continue to own the balance of the land. Members of the LLC will have the opportunity for individual ownership of one of the parcels after the balance of the mortgage is paid off and the family preserve is gifted to the family organization. Members of the CFLLC have unanimously agreed that these properties will remain in CFLLC ownership until them. Thereafter, it is our intent to keep the other parcels in the family.
The CFLLC as a group have kept our eye on the prize throughout this whole process. We know that our ultimate goal has not yet been met, but that the groundwork has been laid. Amazingly, the resources have been there, through the harvesting of granddad's over-grown Christmas trees, and our individual monthly loan payments. The fuel behind it all is the family's recent resurgent support towards gaining a MacDonald Family Preserve & Dad and Mom's constant hospitality providing our home base at The Falls.
See the attachment showing The Falls property in 2 phases:
Phase #1 – 3 parcels with easements for The MacDonald Family Preserve.
Phase #2 – 5 subdivided parcels - MacDonald Family Preserve ready for the family organization to take legal ownership.
new family blogspot
Brad said we should move to the living room of the net so I hope this blog works.
Question 2: what do I want to DO at the Falls
Camp in the campground on tent platforms or stay in one of the several shipping container cabins
Fish
Family reunions
Family campfires in/on/ around the amphitheater
Have a music festival
Have a talent show
Have a big outdoor screen to show family videos on
Canoe or go rafting off a seasonal /portable dock
Store my raft or canoe in a boat house made out of a shipping container situated below the amphitheater or by the first trail
Eat in a big dining hall that will seat 100 people with solar power to eat at made from shipping containers that overlooks the river at the 1 acre spot at the end of the fish hook
A grill a big grill
Go on a picnic and eat at the picnic tables in the 1 acre spot by the dining hall in a little park like setting
Have a nice compost toilet to go potty in the dining hall
Shower with a solar powered water heater in the dining hall
Have water to drink from a water fountain by the fire pit by the amphitheater
Have a nice 2 seater outhouse set off but near the amphitheater
Have a safe place to park and turn the car around by widening the dirt road at the North or sloped side between the fishing trail and the fishhook
Have a baseball diamond by the Falls road and play ball
Have a Frisbee or disk golf course with a disk-net
Have a volleyball court by the dining hall
Play basketball in a half basketball court spot
Have a hop scotch spot
Have a zip line start on top of Amy’s knoll to the top of the hill and back also from the top of the hill to the dining hall to the campground ending at the amphitheater return the back to the top of the hill zip-line
Build a rock climbing wall on the rock wall by the amphitheatre with climbing harnesses, helmets, safety gear
Swings big and little
Have a climbing course for little kids
Go hiking or biking on trails throughout the 84 acres
What did I miss?
Janice
Secret trail to a secret meadow to the artesian well
Outdoor squash court by the baseball diamond or the dining hall
a fenced in area for the dogs to be at night
I think the shipping container idea is pretty good for storing things, but I'm not so sure that would fit in very well in the surroundings. I think we should have a lodge-type structure where we all could gather underneath one roof. The structure would have an woodsy outdoor-sy lodge feel
I think the best place for a baseball field would be in the triangular easement area across the street from Dad’s place. Refer to the figure that Amy sent out with her initial email. This is a 10 acre "lot" and it is very flat. The LLC owns it, although I am not authorized to throw it out on the table. One option would be for the Family Association to offer to buy it from the CFLLC. Now you have 20 acres that would belong to the Family Association. You would have two different parcels, each with a different fell and purpose. One is private and secluded and the other is in the open and is available for bigger, more inclusive gatherings.
Century old Barn and Houses
Tree house or ewok house as part of the zip lines
http://www.tamarackidaho.com/about/index.php click on the 'about' tab and then click on the forth picture which is about the zipline
...after I went to this web site and sent the zip line video to you all I went back and read the unbelievable part that this beautiful and huge resort had gone the way of this recession... bankrupt. We can take many lessons from this; How to build a zip line and how to not over extend ourselves in our family adventure.
We ought to think out of the box and see what cash we have. IE. What If each family put in $1000, into the family fund and that could be our seed money to build from. Right now we have nothing in the bank.
To match our dreams with reality we need to be creative. IE; we need to have a way of securing whatever we place in the area. Like, a strong secure place like from trees falling during a storm on our cabins, or other people entering our lands and messing with whatever they find.
If we used steel shipping container box and then added a log veneer and a pitched roof to make it look like a little log cabin, then we could bolt it safe and it might be a big savings in cash and number of logs needed. We could put up several wee cabins.
Maybe we could build a barn as the lodge
I like the idea of the land under the high wires across from Mom and Dad's place for the ball and squash b-ball, park
With so many having dogs, maybe a fenced in area for the dogs to be at night? KENNEL
Colleen MacDonald - Realtor
Question 2: what do I want to DO at the Falls
Camp in the campground on tent platforms or stay in one of the several shipping container cabins
Fish
Family reunions
Family campfires in/on/ around the amphitheater
Have a music festival
Have a talent show
Have a big outdoor screen to show family videos on
Canoe or go rafting off a seasonal /portable dock
Store my raft or canoe in a boat house made out of a shipping container situated below the amphitheater or by the first trail
Eat in a big dining hall that will seat 100 people with solar power to eat at made from shipping containers that overlooks the river at the 1 acre spot at the end of the fish hook
A grill a big grill
Go on a picnic and eat at the picnic tables in the 1 acre spot by the dining hall in a little park like setting
Have a nice compost toilet to go potty in the dining hall
Shower with a solar powered water heater in the dining hall
Have water to drink from a water fountain by the fire pit by the amphitheater
Have a nice 2 seater outhouse set off but near the amphitheater
Have a safe place to park and turn the car around by widening the dirt road at the North or sloped side between the fishing trail and the fishhook
Have a baseball diamond by the Falls road and play ball
Have a Frisbee or disk golf course with a disk-net
Have a volleyball court by the dining hall
Play basketball in a half basketball court spot
Have a hop scotch spot
Have a zip line start on top of Amy’s knoll to the top of the hill and back also from the top of the hill to the dining hall to the campground ending at the amphitheater return the back to the top of the hill zip-line
Build a rock climbing wall on the rock wall by the amphitheatre with climbing harnesses, helmets, safety gear
Swings big and little
Have a climbing course for little kids
Go hiking or biking on trails throughout the 84 acres
What did I miss?
Janice
Secret trail to a secret meadow to the artesian well
Outdoor squash court by the baseball diamond or the dining hall
a fenced in area for the dogs to be at night
I think the shipping container idea is pretty good for storing things, but I'm not so sure that would fit in very well in the surroundings. I think we should have a lodge-type structure where we all could gather underneath one roof. The structure would have an woodsy outdoor-sy lodge feel
I think the best place for a baseball field would be in the triangular easement area across the street from Dad’s place. Refer to the figure that Amy sent out with her initial email. This is a 10 acre "lot" and it is very flat. The LLC owns it, although I am not authorized to throw it out on the table. One option would be for the Family Association to offer to buy it from the CFLLC. Now you have 20 acres that would belong to the Family Association. You would have two different parcels, each with a different fell and purpose. One is private and secluded and the other is in the open and is available for bigger, more inclusive gatherings.
Century old Barn and Houses
Tree house or ewok house as part of the zip lines
http://www.tamarackidaho.com/about/index.php click on the 'about' tab and then click on the forth picture which is about the zipline
...after I went to this web site and sent the zip line video to you all I went back and read the unbelievable part that this beautiful and huge resort had gone the way of this recession... bankrupt. We can take many lessons from this; How to build a zip line and how to not over extend ourselves in our family adventure.
We ought to think out of the box and see what cash we have. IE. What If each family put in $1000, into the family fund and that could be our seed money to build from. Right now we have nothing in the bank.
To match our dreams with reality we need to be creative. IE; we need to have a way of securing whatever we place in the area. Like, a strong secure place like from trees falling during a storm on our cabins, or other people entering our lands and messing with whatever they find.
If we used steel shipping container box and then added a log veneer and a pitched roof to make it look like a little log cabin, then we could bolt it safe and it might be a big savings in cash and number of logs needed. We could put up several wee cabins.
Maybe we could build a barn as the lodge
I like the idea of the land under the high wires across from Mom and Dad's place for the ball and squash b-ball, park
With so many having dogs, maybe a fenced in area for the dogs to be at night? KENNEL
Colleen MacDonald - Realtor
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