Dave Ellis

That was the comment of High Country Accord chairman Jonathan Wallis, after viewing the result of irrigation development on Tara Hills at Omarama.

The contrast between the green, irrigated flats of the property and the surrounding brown hills was vivid.

The 3400ha station, best known as a research property, was bought by Dave Ellis two years ago.

As he has dairy farm operations in the Rangitata and Waimate areas and milks 1500 cows at Omarama, he needed support ground for young stock and rising 2-year-old heifers.

Land around Canterbury was too expensive and he chose to invest in the Omarama area.

Originally, there was 170ha with border-dyke irrigation and the previous owners, the Patterson family, had put in two pivot irrigators.

He decided to take the border-dykes out, apply for consent to extend the irrigation, and now had 600ha under pivot irrigation.

On the flat, there were now 2000 rising 1-year-olds, and 1500 rising 2-year-old heifers, with 3000 merino sheep on the hill.

He was drawn to the Omarama area after seeing what pioneering dairy farmer Doug McIntyre was doing on his property, between Omarama and Twizel.

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Green hues advancing in high country

The Olathe City Council scrutinized two major redevelopment projects Tuesday rezoning some land for a single-family housing area and clearing the way for a residential care facility.

The council partially approved a plan for residential redevelopment proposed for the south side of College Boulevard and the west side of Lone Elm Road.

It agreed to rezone 13.6 acres from a business park to a single-family residential area. Sunnybrook Management Co. LLC plans to build 21 lots averaging 8,400 square feet. Two other parts of the redevelopment were tabled for further study.

Those proposals included rezoning 28 acres of business park land to allow 71 single-family lots, ranging from 8,300 to 9,000 square feet, and 26 other acres of business park land to make way for 94 luxury villas.

Several members of the council said they needed time to consider rezoning a large amount of business park land for residential use.

I need more time to wrap my head around how much (business park) space we have left in the city, said Councilman Jim Randall. It is a precious commodity that we wont have much more of one day.

The council was not hesitant to approve a revised special use permit for a residential care facility, Bloom Senior Living, to be constructed near 133rd and Greenwood streets.

At its Jan. 21 meeting, the council had tabled voting on the special use permit after asking for revisions to a building design criticized as too commercial-looking and flat.

Since then, the developer added stone chimneys, bay windows, shutters and faux balcony railings around select windows, and a wraparound porch with columns on the northwest corner of building.

It will be a beautiful project and Im looking forward to seeing it constructed, Councilwoman Marge Vogt told the developer. Thank you for listening to us.

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Olathe OKs some rezoning at College and Lone Elm

Acclaimed furniture and interior designer Adriana Hoyos will introduce her modern furniture collection exclusively at Clive Daniel Home, (www.clivedaniel.com) Naples premier home furnishings retailer at a special meet-the-designer reception at the Clive Daniel Home showroom on Tuesday, April 1 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Adriana will showcase her world-famous designs and discuss the time-less sophistication of her unique style. Adrianas stunning collection exhibits her unique blend of Latin American and Asian influences to pose the essence of sophistication, laid back ambiance. This natural born designer has a passion for timeless design and sophistication, Throughout a career that spans over 25 years, seven furniture collections and 500-plus interior design projects, Adriana has created a versatile portfolio of projects in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United Kingdom. She believes that a plush, harmonious home is the best place to enjoy living in peace, balance and harmony.

To attend the special event, RSVP online at http://www.clivedaniel.com/events or call 239-213-7844. Store hours are from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday with Sunday hours from 12-5 pm.

The Clive Daniel Home showroom, located on U.S. 41 in Naples, was recently named the nations top new furniture retailer and won 16 Sand Dol-lar awards in the Collier County Building Industry Associations competition for two consecutive years. The retailer is internationally respected for its hospitality and commercial design work, providing purchasing and design services for developers, as well as hospitality properties. Daniel Lubner can be reached at 239-292-3717.

This story is contributed by a member of the Naples community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Naples Daily News

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Clive Daniel Home Launches Adriana Hoyos Collection

Lebanon When Dana Seguin bought 4 South Park St., he wasnt sure what he was going to do with the 5,500-square-foot, historic 19th century home facing Colburn Park in the citys center, but he was clear that it should be lived in, he said.

Now, a year and a half after Seguin took ownership, Lebanons Zoning Board of Adjustment is considering his 41-page application for a zoning variance that would allow him to convert the single family home, office and nearby carriage house into eight apartments. The house is located in a zoning district where multi-family homes are not allowed.

It needs a ton of work, but its sound, said Seguin during a tour of his mostly unheated historic home on Sunday. For whatever reason, it called me.

He said he plans to keep the homes four fireplaces as decorative, not functional, touches and that he hopes to retain most of the buildings hardwood floors. In addition, the structures slate roofs will likely stay as they are relatively new, having been replaced following a 1988 chimney fire.

In order to transform the homes large living spaces into 700 or 750-square-foot apartments, Seguin will need to move walls and reorient stairs, he said.

The renovation, if approved, will likely include replacement of all the single-paned windows, and upgrades to the plumbing, wiring and heating.

Residential use is an idea supported by the homes previous owner Lois Wood widow of Lebanon legend Dr. Myric Wood Jr. who died in 2006 at the age of 79 from prostate cancer.

Im very pleased with Danas plans for the house, said Mrs. Wood in a phone interview from her home in Hampden, Maine. I want the next chapter to be a good one.

The Woods lived and worked in the South Park Street house for approximately 50 years from 1962 to 2008.

They raised four children in the main house, while Dr. Wood, famous in part for delivering 2,500 Upper Valley babies, operated a medical practice from an office, a laboratory and two exam rooms located in an ell-shaped adjoining structure in the rear.

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New Plan for Old Home: Proposal Would Change Lebanon House Into Apartments

Woodland firefighters take a breather while fighting a blaze that struck the second-story of a two-story home on Garfield Court in the southeast part of the city Sunday Afternoon. (Jim Smith/Democrat)

The home, located on Woodland's southeast side, at 1459 Garfield Court, was unoccupied. There were no injuries in the blaze, although firefighters were quickly overheated by the work.

Officials at the scene reported the blaze was called around 2:25 p.m. by a passing motorist on Hwy. 113. The highway lies immediately to the east of the home with only a retaining wall separating it and traffic.

That first notification was almost immediately followed by neighbors on the normally quiet cul-de-sac, who spotted the thick black smoke coming from the second story of the structure.

Woodland firefighters get their oxygen bottles refilled while fighting a blaze that struck the second-story of a two-story home on Garfield Court in the southeast part of the city Sunday Afternoon. (Jim Smith/Democrat)

Officials at the scene indicated the home appeared to have been a foreclosure. It was vacant with no furnishing or people inside on their arrival. Nearby residents said it had been occupied for some months.

While it was still too early to determine what caused the fire, guesses ranged from faulty wiring which may have shorted out when an air conditioner activated to the bright sun shining through a window and causing some object to burst into flame.

A number of engine companies responded to the blaze, including UC Davis and Davis fire departments and Willow Oak Fire Department.

The fire itself was knocked down within minutes by a coordinated action of water being poured onto the second story from the backyard and firefighters going inside the structure and tearing down the ceiling as well as venting the roof.

Firefighters remained on scene until at least 4 p.m. - although some engine companies were dismissed earlier - to conclude mop-up operations as well as arrange for sealing off the structure to prevent vandalism.

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2-story home catches fire Sunday in Woodland

What to expect from your new-home walk-through

Youve signed the contract, selected your cabinets, appliances and flooring, and waited patiently for your new home to be built. Finally, the moment youve been anticipating the walk-through arrives.

The walk-through is an opportunity for you and your builder to examine your new home together. You may spend the time agreeing on items in need of correction or adjustment, learning how your new home works and what you must do to keep it maintained and asking questions about anything you dont understand.

Many builders use the walk-through to educate buyers about the homes operating systems, as well as the maintenance and upkeep responsibilities. In order to help you get the most of your new-home walk-through, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Keep a checklist: The walk-through is when you and your construction manager will inspect surfaces such as walls, floors, windows, appliances and countertops to make sure there are no scratches, chips or other forms of noticeable damage. Make a special effort to note items that need to be corrected on your checklist because such cosmetic items will usually not be covered by your warranty after the orientation. Check the paint, drywall, bathtubs, showers and tile work. Also, walk around the outside of the house to examine the exterior. If the landscaping is already in place, check to make sure the plants are healthy and that the slope of your yard will allow water to drain away from your home. You and your construction manager can then agree to a timetable for repairs.

Take lots of notes: The walk-through is where you will receive a stack of documents that include manufacturers instruction for the heating and cooling systems, plumbing, cable, water heater, kitchen appliances and other features in the home. You may also receive a demonstration on how to operate all of these systems. Its a lot of information to take in all at once, especially since much of it is conveyed verbally. Instead of relying on memory, many people find it helpful to take notes.

Dont rush: Everybodys busy these days, but dont allow yourself to rush through the walk-through. Its an important part of the homebuilding process. Be thorough and observant, and try to avoid distractions (you may want to have your kids stay with a babysitter). Ask questions. Consider this a formal introduction to your new home and afford it the time it deserves. Both you and your builder will be glad you did.

Andy Warren is president of Maracay Homes, the Arizona subsidiary of the Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company. He serves on the board of directors for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona and Greater Phoenix Leadership; as well as the board of directors and as an Executive Committee member with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He is also an active member of the Urban Land Institute.

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Andy Warren: What to expect on your new-home walk-through

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