One Micro Step Forward

We received the Development Agreement for the city yesterday! Miles and I reviewed it and it's just a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo. We're not going to have our attorney review it because it would cost us a lot of extra money and time and probably would only be able to make a few minor changes. It looks pretty boiler plate anyway.

The only surprise to us was that now the city has decided that we will NOT be able to put the money for design and construction of the Kechter Rd. improvements into a letter of credit from our bank. We'll actually have to write them a check for the improvements and put into escrow. This is really frustrating because the improvements may not happen for a long time. Not sure if they need to get everyone aligned or if the city is going to have to come up with the rest of the funds, but we don't see these improvements happening for awhile. Now that we've paid, I'd like to see them done sooner, rather than later, but I can't get wrapped around the axle on this one. Just glad that we're moving forward.

Miles and I will sign and I will return to the city tomorrow, since today is veterans day, the city offices are closed. Not sure how long the rest will take, but I think we're close. Could be as early as Friday, or maybe early next week.

Hurray!

Frustrating v.2

I cannot find the words that express how frustrated I am with the lack of follow up and sense of urgency from the city. We are in the last stages of our project, but I can't get ANYONE to speed it up a bit. I need several signatures. That's it. It's not like they haven't seen these drawings before or know what's going on. We've been at this with them for 17 months!!!!!

I am still waiting for several signatures on our drawings. Then, the drawings have to go back to our Engineer for their signature and copies. Once the copies get back to the city, they can sign the plat and then I can coordinate with our attorney and the title company. After that, I also need to coordinate the city planner and the county clerk to meet us at the courthouse so we can get this recorded. It really isn't that hard!!

I don't fee like I have ANY recourse. At least at work I can escalate to a manager or someone if something isn't getting done, but in this case I'm even afraid to rock the boat too much for fear that they will just ignore me and not get it done at all!!!

I really can't believe that another week has gone by.

Can We Just Get This Over With?

Here's a copy of an e-mail I sent to the city today. This just sums up where we are, ugh!!

Hi Susan,

Thanks for speaking with me yesterday. I'm just following up on our conversation so that I can give an update to our attorney and the title company.

As I understand it:

• The utility and plat mylars were dropped off at the city on Thursday, October 23 (see attached).
• As of yesterday, November 3, none of the utility signatures have been completed. Seems to me like 7 business days should be enough time? What is the hold up?
• The DA was on Sheri's desk for final approval and then going to the city attorney yesterday afternoon.
• Sheri mentioned at the development workshop Steve hosted about the Kechter / Trilby area, that the DA should take about 3 weeks. I sent the DA information on Thursday, September 11. Seven weeks is 4 weeks longer than the average length. Do you know what the hold up was with this agreement? I assume we will get the final for our signature this afternoon, tomorrow at the latest?
• I will wait to hear from you that the utility drawings have gone to JR Engineering for final signature and copies before I get our attorney and title company scheduled again to complete the process and record the plat.
• Miles and I will ensure that the DA is signed and sent back to you within 1 business day of receiving it from you. I assume this only needs to be notarized and no other signature is required?

I think that's it. Please let me know either by phone (303) 588-6086, or by e-mail when the utility drawing signatures are completed. Again, I would be happy to pick them up and take them over to JR Engineering if you need me to.

Thanks,

Jennifer

Building Permit

Miles and I met with Wayne today. The new house cost is soaring due to the utility and extra work our builder is doing. It freaked me out, so I know it has Miles over the edge. We're hoping that our few investments that are supposed to start paying dividends will come in next year to help defray some of the building and development costs.

I am keeping a detailed budget of the costs that we will track through the process. The good news is that the property will be worth a lot once we are done with the project. We just hope our condo and our current house sells.

The other positive thing is that this house is going to be beautiful. I haven't had a chance to think about it too much because I've been so focused on the city process. Even though we're continuing to have slow issues with the city, we can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel.