Building Permit...

Today was FINALLY the application for a building permit handed in (and paid for) at City Hall.
Well, yes, this might be a year too late, but I think the final design looks great. There are just SOOO many options out there, so it is easy to just think of new stuff that would be "neat" to have, or new ideas based on houses you see out in the neighborhoods.
We are "modifying" our old early 60ies split-level rambler to look something more along a modern craftsman (an oxymoron?). The architect we've worked with has done a great job, albeit it has taken much longer time than anticipated. I guess the fruit of waiting and balancing ideas back and forth paid off though when submitting the package. It was deemed "really nice looking", "clean drawings", and maybe most important of all, it was given the "fast track" process which means that comments from the building department should be forthcoming in about two weeks.
In general, I think the City is pleased to see efforts trying to keep/retain older structures, upgrading them gently, instead of this constant quest to demolish perfectly good houses and then build an oversized house on a lot that was just cut in half.
In my view, there's so much more to quality of life then just the sheer appearance. Having some space/land around you, while still living in the city is as they say "priceless".