Alton Bay McMansion

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

With enough influence, some can get the board to re-zone anything. The sad part, to me, is the owner claiming no intention of erecting storage buildings, "at this time". Eventually, the lure of the cascades of money to be made from boat storage will win out, so the claims from today really mean nothing to the abutting property owners

Where is this going on?

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Lakeboater

Where is this going on?

Tuftonboro/Melvin Village.

[Alton Bay Ace]

All of the above are good valid points and in force today; no, you can not add to the back of the house if you are closer than the 50' boundary. It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc.

Also, reducing the amount of impervious surfacing is also extremely desirable. We removed all of the asphalt and are replacing it with pervious block walkways and driveway and moved them further from the water line. I would think most would want to do all they can to protect the lake and the purity of the water.

Lastly, the comment about "with enough influence.......", the implication that the rules can be bent for the influential (wealthy? connected?) There is zero evidence that this is the case. We could not add a single square inch of space on our boathouse. It had to remain the same cubic volume (inside measurements) as the old one, period. The state - not the local zoning board - referenced that law and insisted upon it, no deviations whatsoever. We wanted to add some eye-brow windows to it which would not have added any height, width, or depth to the boathouse itself but would have slightly increased the interior volume. This was summarily rejected, even after our engineers and architects argued the point. No go.

We love Winni as much as anyone can and are happy to comply with regulations that protect her pristine waters. They weren't always that way and it took many years to bring it back to the present condition however the law allows one to build whatever their resources allow and their hearts desire, as long as it complies with the regulations.

[winterh]

"It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc" Are you sure about the height? I have a grand fathered ranch thats about half inside and half outside the 50 ft line. Its a relatively small lot so I am maxed out with impervious surface. I was under impression I could add a second floor over entire ranch as long as I stayed within height requirements (35 ft) and existing envelope. Can I only go up behind the line on the existing structure? That would be tough although maybe more theoretical question as I have been thinking of this forever and will never get to it.

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

All of the above are good valid points and in force today; no, you can not add to the back of the house if you are closer than the 50' boundary. It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc.

Also, reducing the amount of impervious surfacing is also extremely desirable. We removed all of the asphalt and are replacing it with pervious block walkways and driveway and moved them further from the water line. I would think most would want to do all they can to protect the lake and the purity of the water.

Lastly, the comment about "with enough influence.......", the implication that the rules can be bent for the influential (wealthy? connected?) There is zero evidence that this is the case. We could not add a single square inch of space on our boathouse. It had to remain the same cubic volume (inside measurements) as the old one, period. The state - not the local zoning board - referenced that law and insisted upon it, no deviations whatsoever. We wanted to add some eye-brow windows to it which would not have added any height, width, or depth to the boathouse itself but would have slightly increased the interior volume. This was summarily rejected, even after our engineers and architects argued the point. No go.

We love Winni as much as anyone can and are happy to comply with regulations that protect her pristine waters. They weren't always that way and it took many years to bring it back to the present condition however the law allows one to build whatever their resources allow and their hearts desire, as long as it complies with the regulations.

Thank you for your response.
However- you imply that you are wealthy/connected, and still "could not add a single square inch ..."

Never-the-less- my posts relate to re-zoning- off of Winni. The building part may, or may not, happen later.
Also, "influence" comes in many forms. If you were the judge, how would you sentence your brother? What would the written record show?

If I've not made my point clear, I'm sorry. I don't want to drive this into the ground. It's all very unpleasant to me.

[tis]

Originally Posted by winterh

"It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc" Are you sure about the height? I have a grand fathered ranch thats about half inside and half outside the 50 ft line. Its a relatively small lot so I am maxed out with impervious surface. I was under impression I could add a second floor over entire ranch as long as I stayed within height requirements (35 ft) and existing envelope. Can I only go up behind the line on the existing structure? That would be tough although maybe more theoretical question as I have been thinking of this forever and will never get to it.

You are right from what we have been told. You can go up.

[Alton Bay Ace]

There are height restrictions however your situation would require the board's input. E.G., the boathouse can not be any higher than 15' over the water's surface. You can not add "living space" over a boathouse anymore, or a sky light or anything else that would violate the 15' requirement.

And, no, JEEPONLY, I am not implying anything about my own personal wealth. I am aware of a number of very wealthy individuals on the lake that weren't able to alter their plans as a result of the violations they were hoping to avoid. They just couldn't make it happen.

Now, if you want to dredge onto your own land - and the setbacks work in your favor - you can almost do anything (within code, of course) because it isn't "over the water" as most boathouses are. There are a lot of examples of this on the lake.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by winterh

"It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc" Are you sure about the height? I have a grand fathered ranch thats about half inside and half outside the 50 ft line. Its a relatively small lot so I am maxed out with impervious surface. I was under impression I could add a second floor over entire ranch as long as I stayed within height requirements (35 ft) and existing envelope. Can I only go up behind the line on the existing structure? That would be tough although maybe more theoretical question as I have been thinking of this forever and will never get to it.

Based on what I have seen on Bear Island, going up is permissible (or at least was). A couple of the houses that look toward Shep Browns have gone up in recent years, but do not appear to have grown in any other direction.

[LakeTimes]

Originally Posted by winterh

"It must be the exact same footprint, height, width, etc" Are you sure about the height? I have a grand fathered ranch thats about half inside and half outside the 50 ft line. Its a relatively small lot so I am maxed out with impervious surface. I was under impression I could add a second floor over entire ranch as long as I stayed within height requirements (35 ft) and existing envelope. Can I only go up behind the line on the existing structure? That would be tough although maybe more theoretical question as I have been thinking of this forever and will never get to it.

I do know you can't go above 35 ft - Anyone know where that's measured from? I've not been able to find that answer.

For example, if your house is built on a bit of a decline (front left side of the house is ground level, but right side is much lower, call it 4 feet), is the 35 ft measured from the lowest point, high point or an average? Thought is if you are outside of 50 ft from water, and it's currently a single floor with a sloping crawl space underneath, you could dig down for a basement/walkout, have a main floot then 2nd floor all while being under 35 ft. Could essentially 3x the living space of your current house while never expanding the width or depth...

[tis]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

There are height restrictions however your situation would require the board's input. E.G., the boathouse can not be any higher than 15' over the water's surface. You can not add "living space" over a boathouse anymore, or a sky light or anything else that would violate the 15' requirement.

And, no, JEEPONLY, I am not implying anything about my own personal wealth. I am aware of a number of very wealthy individuals on the lake that weren't able to alter their plans as a result of the violations they were hoping to avoid. They just couldn't make it happen.

Now, if you want to dredge onto your own land - and the setbacks work in your favor - you can almost do anything (within code, of course) because it isn't "over the water" as most boathouses are. There are a lot of examples of this on the lake.

Not sure if I understood your last paragraph but a boathouse that you dredge has the same rules as an existing boathouse that was out over the lake. Also if you dredge in your land for a boathouse, the dredged water area is now considered lake and you must build 50' from the "new" waterline.

[TiltonBB]

I have a boathouse with living quarters above it. I inquired verbally about putting another level on and was declined. I inquired about adding dormers that would be lower than the ridge line and within the existing footprint and was declined again.

If you are trying to make changes within 50 feet of the waterfront there is not much you can do unless your project reduces the impact on the waterfront.

[Alton Bay Ace]

Originally Posted by JADAQ

I ice fish in front of this place, it was real nice to see all the garbage and building materials plowed over the hill this winter into the lake. Hope they clean up their mess.

This place has now been under construction for over a year. Quite the build.

Interesting.

Question(s): You actually watched as the builder plowed trash and construction material in to the lake? Did you call anyone? Police? Dept of Environmental Services? Anyone? Did anyone else see this happen or was it just you? Is there any evidence of this crime left in the vicinity? Since the lake was frozen it seems unlikely that the trash would have moved anywhere.

[Alton Bay Ace]

Gee, I don't know, I was just there and did't see any trash for construction material in or even near the water. can you possibly be mistaken JADAQ?

[LakeTimes]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

Gee, I don't know, I was just there and did't see any trash for construction material in or even near the water. can you possibly be mistaken JADAQ?

House looks amazing Alton Bay Ace!!! Can't imagine the itch you have for everything to be completed!!!

[MeredithMan]

Beautiful place...love the design/architecture. Congratulations!

[JADAQ]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

Gee, I don't know, I was just there and did't see any trash for construction material in or even near the water. can you possibly be mistaken JADAQ?

Considering it was over a month and a half ago no wonder you didn’t see anything!
It was stuff plowed up from the snow and put over the banking, eventually making its way down onto the ice. Don’t worry now, it’s long gone just like the ice.

[Alton Bay Ace]

Aw, come now, JADAQ, really. The scene of the crime what, washed away? My next phone call will be to my builder, I'm sure he'll have some information on the mysterious and unlawful dumping of material into the lake or even the accusation of such a crime. I doubt he'd want anyone to think that he'd ever do anything even approaching such an unlawful act since he's been LIVING and BUILDING custom homes on Winnipesaukee for almost 30 years. That could put a serious dent in his reputation as a builder.

Stay tuned everyone, I'll be sure to post the results of my conversation.

Thank you all others for your kind comments on the house. My wife and I came up with the initial ideas and our fabulous architect turned it into a real plan! We very excited to see it finished and should be moving in sometime in June, if all goes well.

[ishoot308]

Congrats on your beautiful new home Alton Bay Ace!!

Dan

[Biggd]

From the picture it certainly doesn't look like what I would consider a Mc-Mansion or even a mansion for that matter. It looks like a beautiful home.
Good luck in your new home.

[4 for Boating]

May I ask around how long something like this took to build?

Sans the design/permits...
From the point of the first hammer hit/shovel to what you are hoping for in June?

Side question > how was the process of finding a builder - did you have to wait multiple years for the one you selected to be able to start given their backlog?

BTW - Very nice home > congradulations and enjoy!

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Biggd

From the picture it certainly doesn't look like what I would consider a Mc-Mansion or even a mansion for that matter. It looks like a beautiful home.
Good luck in your new home.

If you had to pay for it you would!!!

[Sammy]

Where in Alton is this house?

[Alton Bay Ace]

Originally Posted by 4 for Boating

May I ask around how long something like this took to build?

Sans the design/permits...
From the point of the first hammer hit/shovel to what you are hoping for in June?

Side question > how was the process of finding a builder - did you have to wait multiple years for the one you selected to be able to start given their backlog?

BTW - Very nice home > congradulations and enjoy!

We looked at a lot of houses we really liked on the lake and inquired about who built which, we also interviewed severAl architectural firms. Ultimately, we found a Builder that is "turnkey" i.e., in-house architect, project manager, site manager, etc. We waited only a few months for him to be able to start.

The old house came down on July 13th of 2018, and should be completed this June, so just under 2 years total design & build time.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

We looked at a lot of houses we really liked on the lake and inquired about who built which, we also interviewed severAl architectural firms. Ultimately, we found a Builder that is "turnkey" i.e., in-house architect, project manager, site manager, etc. We waited only a few months for him to be able to start.

The old house came down on July 13th of 2018, and should be completed this June, so just under 2 years total design & build time.

Thanks for continuing to share your experiences, even though they've been met with criticism—that seems to be the MO around here lately.

Good luck with the rest of the process—hope you enjoy your new home!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[4 for Boating]

YES - thanks for sharing - the process of getting to this point must have been a ride in-itself.

As thinkxingu raised, the board can be/get a little critical some times and I would guess the current state of affairs is not helping. However and overall, a good resource for all things going on around the lake and a lot of knowledge...

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by Alton Bay Ace

Gee, I don't know, I was just there and did't see any trash for construction material in or even near the water. can you possibly be mistaken JADAQ?

Well, color me green with envy! Do you need a live-in housekeeper?

Congratulations, and best wishes in your new home.


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[Barney Bear]

Very elegant design - congratulations to all. Enjoy!

Question - Is the element (cupola) above the garage area accessible for the similar use of a "widow's walk" frequently found on Colonial era houses? 🐻

[Susie Cougar]

It certainly is a beautiful house. I hope you have many years of enjoyment in it. I agree that there has been some jealousy showing on this topic. I’m just wondering, are your neighbors happy with the final product?

[Alton Bay Ace]

Hi, I wanted to respond to your questions:

No, the cupola is a light area only and not accessible. We wanted to do a rotating light as in a lighthouse but that is not allowed by the state.

And, yes, our neighbors (the ones sharing the point with us) are quite alright with the project. We've kept them completely aware of all the steps and have tried to make it as hassle-free as possible. Of course, it can be a huge inconvenience but we've really tried hard to keep it out of their way.

At this point, we're just in "get it done" mode so we can use it for as much of the 2020 season as possible. The boathouse should be completed in early/mid-May so we can still get the boats/jet skiis in the water and enjoy the lake until the house is finished.

[The Real BigGuy]

Beautiful place. I’m jealous! How about a “walk thru” video?


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