Rembrandt's Girl wrote:Kevster wrote:There may be a number of reasons why they'd keep the slabs. Jupiter Island has some unique rules for permitting, and it may be the same here. Keeping the original footprint, possibly with the addition of some new ground level space, may prevent impact fees, some environmental regulations, SETBACK CHALLENGES (most likely factor), and/or infrastructure requirements.
Well, I won't have to go to Hawaii now. Such a shame, but not really surprised.

Thanks
Kevster.... you just reminded me that in our city if you keep the foundation/slab and
one wall (isn't that crazy?) you can avoid additional permitting and permitting fees.
You're welcome.
Years ago, I was asked to appraise a house on the north end of Jupiter Island, and I thought that it was a bad request. I thought the living area was a typo.... If I remember right, it was about 1,100 SF. Anything under about 4,500 SF is tiny in this zip code, so it made no sense. Then I saw the picture. It was a basic 1950's ranch on a rather deep lot with 150' of ocean frontage. It made no sense to keep this thing, until...
Until you saw the legal setback line from the ocean. The house was WAY closer to the water than was currently legal.
The house was a full 120' closer to the water than was now legal! If redeveloped more than 50%, they'd have to raze it, plus they'd then be stuck between two modern homes with that quasi-tunnel effect for their view. So, the family kept this "cottage," which was pretty much right on the dune. The beach had eroded a bit in (back then, when I did the assignment) 50 years.
With the Anderson house, I'd say they were REALLY close to the ocean by modern standards, and also to the property line on either side (both the main house and boat house). Also, the house was not oriented right for modern tastes. So, if they use the same slab in some way, they'll likely change the interior arrangement of the rooms to provide better views.
This is the part that'll probably hurt everyone the most... It's a money guy that bought it, so I think you'll soon find that there are several sites or new homes for sale subdividing what once comprised the estate.
Sorry, but that makes sense without even crunching the numbers.
That's progress.