- Looking Ahead
Yesterday afternoon, our neighbors, Tucker and Carol, received the final go-ahead on their building plans. The project involves renovating their tiny cabin to increase its size so they can ultimately become full-time Oysterville residents. Halleluja! Raise the flag! It was a Red Letter Day for the village.
It was their final hearing and the Oysterville Design Review Board gave them ten thumbs up. The Board’s approval is a necessary step in the County’s building requirements for those of us who live within the National Historic District. The process is what has kept neon signs and double-wides and metal-roofed pole buildings at bay (so to speak) here in the village.
It’s an onerous and sometimes emotionally-charged process, but yesterday it was smooth sailing for all concerned. As is usual, the meeting was held at the schoolhouse. There weren’t many of us in attendance – partly because it was a gorgeous day and I suspect many folks were outdoors doing sunshiny kinds of things. But mostly, I think, people knew from the first hearing a month or so ago that the plan was going to pass without difficulty.
There was a second item on the agenda, as well. It was for conceptual approval of a new house planned for the County (as opposed to the National) Historic District. That’s an area adjacent to the village and is considered a “transitional” zone. Building requirements are less stringent but the process is still required.
Mostly, during that part of the meeting, I was impressed by the new usage of the term “historical.” Both the applicant and the Board members repeatedly referred to the proposed residence being in “The Historical.” I had never heard that particular adjective used as a noun before, but I know that just as our landscape changes, so does our language. I couldn’t help wondering if I was listening to the cutting edge of new terminology.
We left a tad early – there were weeds calling loudly to us. As we walked home, right past the soon-to-change Wachsmuth cabin, we tried to imagine how it will look a year from now. We already know how it will feel having Tucker and Carol here full-time. – FABULOUS!
Thanks for your positive thoughts Sydney. The process continues to challenge me, but I am dedicated to continue to learn. Glad you were there