Clearcut property off Gate 4

[spatulagirl]

So remember the clearcut property off Gate 4? That cleared all those trees last year before the zoning vote? I have noticed that people have been driving through it instead of on the road, although I am surprised it wasn't torn up by ATV/dirtbike riders more. Anyway, they added railway ties with spikes and rods to block where people were driving and then dug a huge trench along the road.

It looks awful and also dangerous. I feel for them that people were driving on the property but I still harbor resentment that it was clearcut. I wouldn't want to try and sell a house right next to that property either. Totally takes away from everything.

[caroline]

They don't live there and they already made the lot unslightly be clear cutting it and now it has these wacky defenses? Why do they care if there were a couple tire tracks? Obvisouly the beauty of the lot is unimportant or the they would not have dug that huge ugly trench and obvioulsly they do not plan to build on their lot any time soon. Although on the upside those trenches will fill with merky water and all the will need to do is add aligators to have a scary moat!

[cindylu]

Can you blame them?? At least they put down grass to solve erosion problems. I was driving when some guy from behind used their property to cut in front of me. Now, if that car ran into trouble could the owners of the lot be held responsible?? And what about all the ruts that were beginning to appear?? No, the trenches aren't attractive but a lot better than the nail studded rail ties. The trenches may stem the water that floods that area. I applaud their ingenuity.

[Nanuk]

Those trenches filled with water will breed many mosquitoes.

[Willis]

Sounds like time for another photo op. the flooding on the roads below the lot was in part because of the owner's boneheaded land management practices. Should someone-such as our ubiquitous and irresponsible ATVers-hurt themselves, due to the impediments placed by the owner, the injured parties will likely think they've hit the lottery.
Lest we forget:

Summer-2009
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/4128875178_4606d1267e_z.jpg?zz=1
Early November 2009
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4128874690_9aac1c7950_z.jpg?zz=1
Late November 2009
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4128877376_aebd440ce1_z.jpg?zz=1
And as mentioned in the original thread, this property was ironically bordered by Shady Lane
Yep, it's time for a followup photo shoot. How NOT to develop your property in a responsible manner.

[KatherineA]

That is just disgusting.

By that - I mean the status of that ground. Absolutely irresponsibly disgusting.

[Ricky]

If I ever buy a piece of property up on the mountain (HAHAHAHA, as if) I'm going to do exactly what that land owner did just to piss the people off on this forum.

[AAT53]

If I ever buy a piece of property up on the mountain (HAHAHAHA, as if) I'm going to do exactly what that land owner did just to piss the people off on this forum.

You wouldn't piss me off. It's not my property, so I don't stress over it. I will say that I do wish people would think a bit more about run-off, etc. before they do stuff like this but in the end it is their property and they didn't violate any laws, so it is what it is.

[derricksonb]

I can't believe it, but I completely agree with AAT53 on this one..... Had the revised zoning ordinance passed then we might have had a leg to stand on regarding this type of land use, but since it didn't it's open season on trees and underbrush.

[KatherineA]

It may be open season and "perfectly legal" However, that does not make in morally right or responsible land stewardship. I hope they never get the money together to build on the lot or lose it to foreclosure. I know - bad karma on me for that wish.

[BigTom]

I can't believe it, but I completely agree with AAT53 on this one..... Had the revised zoning ordinance passed then we might have had a leg to stand on regarding this type of land use, but since it didn't it's open season on trees and underbrush.

I think they cleared the lot fearing the revised zoning would pass and they wouldn't be able to clear enough to build. The issue is not the cleared lot but people's lack of respect for the property owner's rights. Instead of whining about whether the lot should or shouldn't be cleared wouldn't it make more sense to voice your outrage over the fact that people are dangerously and illegally driving across it. How would you feel if your yard was used as a shortcut for buttheads too lazy to drive on the roads?
On a side note if stewardship of the land is important to you buy more land. That's what I've done and I've got a couple hundred acres that's taken care of exactly the way I want it to be. Land prices are way down right now. Building lots are under $20,000.00 and non-buildable lots are alot less than that. If everyone on the mountain, who's interested in preserving Shannondale's trees, bought one or two lots the trees would be safe. Then everyone could decicide for themselves want's the proper management plan.

[KatherineA]

I'd love to do that BigTom, but every building lot or even NON buildable - I've been quoted prices near $50,000 - 75,000. I think the one directly across from me the guy is still asking $100,000. So .... you apparently have more realistic sellers near you than I do.

And to believe that they cleared that lot completely believing that they could not clear enough to build is not logical. If that was their thought, then why not clear enough to build and leave the rest or clear it like that one BIG house on the road to Purcellville? In that case, they cleared all the brush, left the trees, built a pond and it is beautiful without destroying every living things habitat so they could build a prefab piece of crap house "someday".

[derricksonb]

I'm not suggesting that it's moral or responsible, but it is perfectly legal and the landowner has every right to do with his land as he sees fit.

[KatherineA]

And I don't disagree with that as that is fact. I do reserve the right to be judgmental and express my opinion of their immoral and irresponsible actions.

[LazerFlash]

On a side note if stewardship of the land is important to you buy more land. That's what I've done and I've got a couple hundred acres that's taken care of exactly the way I want it to be. Land prices are way down right now. Building lots are under $20,000.00 and non-buildable lots are alot less than that. If everyone on the mountain, who's interested in preserving Shannondale's trees, bought one or two lots the trees would be safe. Then everyone could decicide for themselves want's the proper management plan.BigTom is right... there is plenty of real estate in Shannondale that is perfectly affordable. (I'm not really sure what's going on in your neck of the words, Kat; the prices you mentioned are grossly out of whack to what we've found. Clearly, your one neighbor just doesn't want to sell, or his lot is larger than normal for Shannondale.) For a very small investment, the average person can pick up lots of all sizes and configurations. Sure, buildable lots and more desirable view lots are more expensive.

[Kensey]

On a side note if stewardship of the land is important to you buy more land.

kkrapf and I have discussed doing exactly this once we have some reserve cash built up. There's a lot of empty real estate that I can use as bases for a fleet of remote-controlled drone minicopters.

[John]

kkrapf and I have discussed doing exactly this once we have some reserve cash built up. There's a lot of empty real estate that I can use as bases for a fleet of remote-controlled drone minicopters.

This is what the planner types would call a "best use" of the property. Totally awesome. What would you have them do?

[LFE]

This is what the planner types would call a "best use" of the property. Totally awesome. What would you have them do?

My guess is that he would have them fitted with really high powered lasers so he could fly them around quickly clear cutting lots at random :-)

[kkrapf]

kkrapf and I have discussed doing exactly this once we have some reserve cash built up. There's a lot of empty real estate that I can use as bases for a fleet of remote-controlled drone minicopters.

I would love to be able to buy some of our neighbor properties. I'd like to snatch them up before anymore clear-cutting happens, but who knows if/when any of them will come up for sale.

[Edit for premature enter.]

[BigTom]

kkrapf and I have discussed doing exactly this once we have some reserve cash built up. There's a lot of empty real estate that I can use as bases for a fleet of remote-controlled drone minicopters.

Wouldn't you have to do some clearing to land those drones?
Kat, your neighbor's apparently out of touch with the real property values. I've heard of perked building lots selling for as little as $4000.00 or $5000.00 with the average around $15000.00 for a level 1/2 acre 3 bedroom perk. My plan doesn't really mean to buy lots adjacent to yours (although that would be preferable) just buying any land on the mountain would save trees. I've done my part I already own enough of the mountain now it's time for the rest of you to kick in. Besides I'm trying to buy another 45 acres in N.Y. for more hunting property. Y'all don't want me to buy hunting land in Shannondale do you?

[derricksonb]

My guess is that he would have them fitted with really high powered lasers so he could fly them around quickly clear cutting lots at random :-)

Don't be silly. The laser beams get attached to the ill tempered sea bass he'll stock the lake with in order to keep people from hanging out at the point...

Dr. Evil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000196/): You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads! Now evidently my cycloptic colleague informs me that that cannot be done. Ah, would you remind me what I pay you people for, honestly? Throw me a bone here! What do we have?
Number Two (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001822/): Sea Bass.
Dr. Evil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000196/): [pause] Right.
Number Two (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001822/): They're mutated sea bass.
Dr. Evil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000196/): Are they ill tempered?
Number Two (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001822/): Absolutely.
Dr. Evil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000196/): Oh well, that's a start.

[John]

Y'all don't want me to buy hunting land in Shannondale do you?

Depends on what you intend to hunt.

[LazerFlash]

I would love to be able to buy some of our neighbor properties. I'd like to snatch them up before anymore clear-cutting happens, but who knows if/when any of them will come up for sale.You can either leave it to chance, or be pro-active. It's easy enough to find out who owns what in your immediate vicinity. All of the records and maps are now online and the interfaces are simple enough to figure out. Armed with enough information, all you have to do is make an offer. This is especially true in those instances where the lots involved may be too small to develop even in our children's lifetimes. Believe it or not, there are a boatload of small, sub-half acre lots on the mountain; you may be fortunate to have some near or adjacent to your homestead. These should cost next to nothing, (we bought a couple several years ago for under a grand total).

Another approach takes a much longer view: Acquisition of real property via delinquent tax sale. Of course, the biggest issue with this is that it's not for someone looking to acquire real estate quickly. But, if you're patient and willing to look at it as an approach that takes many years to come to fruition, one can acquire large amounts of property for pennies on the dollar.

[LazerFlash]

Kat, your neighbor's apparently out of touch with the real property values.If it's perc'ed in multiple spots for 4 bedrooms, is a highly desirable 2-3 acre lot and has a marvelous view, $100K would be high, but not too out of the realm of things...

Or, he simply might not be terribly interested in selling it and has thrown out a number he knows is unreasonable to end any further discussion.


I've heard of perked building lots selling for as little as $4000.00 or $5000.00 with the average around $15000.00 for a level 1/2 acre 3 bedroom perk.True. And, non-buildable lots can be had for considerably less than that... especially if the buyer is cagey about it. ;)

[Kensey]

Wouldn't you have to do some clearing to land those drones?

Nah, these guys (http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/rc/e34f/) can fly in between the trees just fine. Even one of these (http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x6/specifications/) could get around pretty well under the canopy.

[Kensey]

Believe it or not, there are a boatload of small, sub-half acre lots on the mountain; you may be fortunate to have some near or adjacent to your homestead. These should cost next to nothing, (we bought a couple several years ago for under a grand total).

Some of the ones I've preliminarily eyeballed are right across and down the street from us. They appear to be strips of land on the order of 10x200 (from one horizontal street to the next, and 10 feet wide).

Like I said though, we don't have the cash on hand to buy anything extra yet...

[John]

If I ever buy a piece of property up on the mountain (HAHAHAHA, as if) I'm going to do exactly what that land owner did just to piss the people off on this forum.

I hope that you reconsider and do purchase and move back to the mountain. While I may sometimes disagree on specifics, I recognize the intent and the value of what you have to say. We need to keep hearing your voice. It would be louder if your were closer.

[KatherineA]

some people are happier in their cookie cutter subdivisons with plastic flowers and where they are happy, they should stay.

[JJ2148]

I've seen some plastic flowers on the mountain. I prefer the real thing personally. I'm trying to buy 2 small lots near me but am not getting any reply from the out of state owner. Property doesn't perk so I don't think they can build but from what I have heard other nonperked lots now have homes on them.

[Willis]

Property doesn't perk so I don't think they can build but from what I have heard other nonperked lots now have homes on them.


...If your lot doesn't perk, don't buy another piece of property, hire another builder.Properties are perked by lot owners or builders and unless the lot is under water when a Sanitarian arrives on the scene, he more or less has to accept the results. When I was a Sanitarian, I implored excavators and builders to file for permits whether of not the ground accepted water. Then there was a record in department files. But I digress. This subject really warrants a separate thread. Bottom line: WV needs to require a solid background in soil science for Sanitarians charged with evaluating lots for septic system suitability. Soil permeability ought to be tested during the wettest times of the year. And Harry Homeowner or Bob Builder shouldn't be the ones performing the evaluations.