Steve Jackel, from Jackel Enterprises in Watsonville, came to the house today and reviewed the site. He explained that the wood could definitely be remilled, and he could draft a proposal and send it to us for review.

We would have to have the wood ready for loading, with a forklift, onto his truck when it arrived. The wood would go to his shop in Watsonville, where it would be cut in two, and then milled with a new tongue and groove.

Steve explained that often a bevel is put on lumber that is fitted with a tongue and groove so any differences in thickness are not pronounced. The existing boards have a 1/4 inch bevel that we find particularly annoying, as it creates many vertical lines in the roof and makes it look busy. We prefer simple and clean.

Before leaving, Steve asked if we would like to attend West Coast Green, in San Jose. If so, he will provide us with tickets. That was a kind gesture that we hope to accept.

Next step is for Steve to provide a proposal and estimate for us to consider.

We sent an e-mail for Steve, thanking him for coming to the site.

With our research complete, we were prepared and ready to state the case to Monte Sereno’s City Council for interpreting the ordinance so out window well could go into the setbacks.

Yes, we drafted some speaking notes, which we finished just before 6:00 pm (plenty of time before the 7:30 pm meeting time).

Bryan spoke for the full three minutes and the Mayor and other council members were interested in changing the City’s ordinance.  Our neighbor, Bob Karski, also spoke in favor of changing the ordinance.  It will be on the agenda for the October 7, 2008 meeting.

There is now a glimmer of hope …

We’re continuing to look for places to get the 2×6 Redwood roof decking and Douglas Fir beams remilled. The physical location must be close by, probably somewhere in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

It looks like a viable alternative may be Jackel Enterprises, located in Watsonville. According to Google Maps, Jackel Enterprises is 37.5 miles from our site so it is definitely within trucking distance.

I sent an e-mail to Steve Jackel today. Let’s see if he responds.