Sensitive Stewardship as A Way of Life

It has been said that “all of the good sites have already been built on.” What remains are sites that are often overlaid with conditions designed to preserve their natural features; such as steep slopes, land slide hazards, wetlands, streams, flood plains, erosion hazards and the like. These sites, Sensitive Areas, that we once preferred to look upon rather than occupy are now being pressed into service as our need to provide homes that are “close in” increases.

When they now attempt to build a single family house on their site, they find that due to these restrictions, there is little or no place to build. In some instances, the city and landowner have pitched a battle and spent their economic resources in costly studies that result only in untold frustration.

At DePape Associates Inc., AIA,our intent is to provide the property owner with reasonable use of their lot with minimal impact upon the natural features that benefit us all. We consider this to be effective, sensitive stewardship. We study all of the effects of the ordinances on a particular piece of property, and then propose the location of a building site that best meets the intent of the regulations and provides an attractive house site that offers a sensitive response to its environment. By reasonably applying the intent of the Sensitive Areas ordinances, property owners may develop their ground at a reasonable cost, and coexist with the natural features that benefit us all.

Sensitive stewardship is more than a balancing act between economics and ecology; it is a way of living that recognizes regulations and landowner rights. It is an equitable solution to a complex and conflicting issue. For other examples of our work, please visit www.depapearch.com.

Please feel welcome to contact Dennis DePape at 206 367 1575- the “friendly architect” in Lake Forest Park. See you at the Garden Faire!